In a major diplomatic development, India and Canada have agreed to take measured steps to stabilise and rebuild their bilateral relationship, which has witnessed tensions in recent months. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, both nations will begin by restoring High Commissioners to each other’s capitals — a symbolic and substantive first move towards renewed engagement.
“The Prime Ministers agreed to take calibrated steps to restore stability to this very important relationship, and the first of these steps that was agreed on was to restore High Commissioners to each other's capitals at an early date. Other diplomatic steps will follow in due course,” Misri said.
Key meeting at G7 Summit
The decision came following a high-level meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussion focused on strengthening the India-Canada partnership and re-establishing channels of communication that had been paused.
Both leaders also agreed to resume senior-level and working-level dialogues in a range of areas. These include trade, people-to-people contact, connectivity, and cooperation in critical sectors such as clean energy, clean technology, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, food security, and critical minerals.
“The two Prime Ministers also agreed to resume senior and working-level mechanisms and discussions in a host of areas related to trade, people-to-people contact and connectivity. All of them are intended to bring greater momentum to the relationship,” Misri noted. “The two leaders also discussed potential collaboration in a host of issues related to clean energy, clean technology, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, food security, critical minerals and supply chains.”
Foreign Secretary Misri also addressed the paused trade negotiations between the two countries, stating that the two leaders have decided to instruct their respective officials to take up the matter at the earliest opportunity. “In view of the trade negotiations between the two countries that are currently paused, the two leaders also decided to instruct their officials to take it up at an early date. The two leaders agreed to stay in touch and meet once again at the earliest possible opportunity,” he said.
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PM Modi’s visit to Canada for G7
Prime Minister Modi’s presence at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis marked a pivotal moment for India-Canada relations. This is PM Modi’s sixth consecutive appearance at the G7 and his first visit to Canada in a decade. He arrived at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge on Tuesday, where Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney greeted him warmly.
Modi received a ceremonial welcome upon landing at Calgary Airport, where India’s Acting High Commissioner to Canada, Chinmoy Naik, was present to receive him. Upon his arrival in Canada, PM Modi stated that he would engage with world leaders at the G7 Summit and share India’s perspectives on pressing global challenges. He also emphasised that he would highlight the priorities of the Global South.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Landed in Calgary, Canada, to take part in the G7 Summit. Will be meeting various leaders at the Summit and sharing my thoughts on important global issues. Will also be emphasising the priorities of the Global South.”
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also provided insight into India’s agenda at the summit. “At the invitation of PM @MarkJCarney, PM @narendramodi arrives in Alberta, Canada for the G7 Summit. PM will be participating in @G7 discussions on the future of energy security, including diversification, technology, infrastructure and investment, to ensure access and affordability in a changing world. PM will also hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines,” Jaiswal posted on X.
Significance of the G7 Summit
The G7 Summit is an annual gathering of leaders from the world’s major developed economies — the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the European Union. India has been invited as a guest country for the sixth consecutive time, underscoring its growing global stature.
India’s Acting High Commissioner to Canada, Chinmoy Naik, expressed optimism about the summit’s potential to improve India-Canada ties. In an interview, Naik noted that India would focus on issues like energy security, innovation, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Canada is part of a broader three-nation official tour that began in Cyprus and will conclude in Croatia. His arrival in Canada and the meeting with Prime Minister Carney are being seen as a meaningful step forward in reviving a strained diplomatic relationship. The commitment to restoring High Commissioners and restarting dialogue reflects a mutual willingness to re-engage across multiple strategic areas.
Also Read: India, Canada reset ties with 'envoy agreement' at G7 Summit
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