Jaishankar: India and Canada Work to Repair Diplomatic Relations

• Jaishankar mentions discussions on the potential for enhanced India-Canada relations.
• He expressed wishes for Anand to have a very productive term.
• Canada hosts the largest Sikh community outside of India.

NEW DELHI: India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has confirmed that he communicated with his Canadian counterpart as both nations aim to improve their strained relations.

The telephone conversation, which occurred late Sunday, marks the highest diplomatic engagement between Canada and India since Mark Carney became Prime Minister in March.

Relations have been tense following allegations of India’s involvement in the 2023 assassination of a Canadian Sikh leader, which India has vehemently denied.

During their conversation, Jaishankar discussed the potential for strengthening India-Canada relations with the newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand and wished her well in her new role.

Anand, whose parents are of Indian descent, expressed on X her eagerness to “enhance Canada-India relations, boost economic collaboration, and advance common priorities.”

Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside of India, including activists for “Khalistan,” a separatist movement advocating for an independent state for Sikhs carved from Indian territory.

Ottawa previously accused India of orchestrating the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen and prominent Khalistan supporter, in Vancouver, alleging that India also targeted other Sikh activists associated with the movement.

India has consistently rejected these accusations, which have led to a significant decline in diplomatic relations, with both countries expelling several top diplomats last year.

The Khalistan movement dates back to India’s independence in 1947 and has been associated with significant incidents, including the assassination of a Prime Minister and the bombing of a commercial airliner.

This issue continues to create friction between India and numerous Western nations with substantial Sikh populations.

India has called for stronger action against the Khalistan movement, which is prohibited within its borders, with key figures labeled as “terrorists.”

Next month, Canada will host the G7 summit. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to previous summits starting in 2019 when France extended an invitation to him in Biarritz. There are currently no details regarding an invitation for Modi to attend the upcoming summit in Canada.