Kananaskis [Canada], June 18 (HBTV): India and Canada have agreed to resume full diplomatic services, marking a thaw in bilateral ties strained by Canadian allegations that Indian agents were involved in the 2023 killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada.

At the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders agreed to designate new High Commissioners, with the aim of restoring regular consular services for citizens and businesses in both countries, according to a press release from the Prime Minister of Canada.

Prime Ministers Carney and Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India relations, based on mutual respect, the rule of law, and a shared commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They discussed longstanding ties between the peoples of both countries, strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and robust commercial links, including cooperation in economic growth, supply chains, and energy transformation.

Prime Minister Carney also raised key issues on the G7 agenda, such as transnational crime, repression, global security, and the rules-based international order.

The dialogue also covered ways to deepen engagement in technology, digital transition, food security, and critical mineral supply chains, even as political tensions between the two nations persist.

India has consistently raised concerns over extremism and anti-India activities on Canadian soil, urging authorities in Ottawa to act against individuals and groups promoting such agendas.

The diplomatic standoff intensified when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed his government had ‘credible allegations’ of Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing. India strongly rejected the allegations as ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’, accusing Canada of providing space to extremist and anti-India forces.

Following the fallout, India recalled six diplomats after they were declared ‘persons of interest’ by Canadian agencies investigating Nijjar’s killing. Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.

The crisis deepened amid accusations that Canada had violated international protocols, including the Vienna Convention, and had placed Indian diplomats under surveillance—prompting a formal protest by India's Ministry of External Affairs.

(ANI)