Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s phone call to invite PM Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit (June 15–17) is more than a diplomatic formality. It marks the first genuine thaw in what had become a frigid and fractious Indo-Canadian relationship under Justin Trudeau — and signals the possibility of a new, pragmatic era built on mutual interests rather than diaspora-driven antagonism.
The Chill We Came From
For nearly a decade, Indo-Canadian ties were hostage to domestic political compulsions in Ottawa. Under Trudeau, and with New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh holding the balance of power, Canada’s approach to India was not just indifferent — it was often antagonistic.
The most egregious rupture came in September 2023, when Trudeau stood in the Canadian Parliament and accused Indian agents of being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known Khalistani separatist. The allegation — made without presenting evidence and timed suspiciously — was condemned in India as “absurd” and “politically motivated.” It led to a downgrading of diplomatic ties, mutual expulsions of officials, and widespread outrage within the Indian diaspora.
Even more troubling was Trudeau’s public endorsement — direct or indirect — of individuals and organizations advocating for Khalistan, a violent secessionist cause rejected by the overwhelming majority of Indians, including Canadian Sikhs. Jagmeet Singh’s consistently hostile rhetoric only deepened suspicions that Indo-Canadian diplomacy had become a pawn of fringe electoral pressures.
The Carney Course Correction
Mark Carney’s emergence has altered the equation.
A former central banker with a globalist worldview and no diaspora baggage, Carney’s tone has been markedly different from his predecessor’s. His decision to extend an olive branch to India by inviting Modi to the G7 Summit is not merely symbolic — it signals a reorientation of Canadian foreign policy away from parochial vote-bank calculations toward geopolitical realism.
Significantly, the G7 invitation was extended despite the sensitive timing — around the anniversaries of both Operation Blue Star and Hardeep Nijjar’s death. That decision has already triggered backlash from Trudeau loyalists. Supriya Dwivedi, a senior advisor in the previous regime, said that “no heads-up was given to the Sikh caucus” meaning that “hardliners are being ignored.” Embedded Clip: Supriya Dwivedi says Sikh Caucus was not given a heads-up for the G7 invite to Modi amid Sikh anniversaries
Such reactions are revealing. They confirm what New Delhi has long argued — that Canada’s India policy had been unduly influenced by a small but vocal clique, often disconnected from broader Sikh and Indian Canadian realities. Carney’s refusal to be held hostage by these pressure groups is both timely and commendable.
A Window of Opportunity
India has responded to the gesture with maturity. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the call warmly, signaling willingness to re-engage — but on terms that prioritize sovereignty, security, and mutual respect.
For Canada, this is an opportunity to reset its approach toward South Asia. India is not just a rising power — it is a key G20 member, a driver of global growth, and a natural partner on everything from climate action to digital infrastructure. Carney’s invitation is a step toward rebalancing Canadian diplomacy from pandering to posturing.
For the Indian diaspora in Canada, especially Punjabis, this reset could bring long-awaited relief. Visa delays, suspicion, and racial profiling — by-products of the previous regime’s toxicity — had affected thousands. Students and professionals alike have paid the price for policies shaped by ideological rigidity rather than community welfare.
Lessons from the Wounds
The last chapter in Indo-Canadian relations should serve as a cautionary tale. Sovereign nations cannot — and must not — frame their foreign policy around extremist narratives or domestic fringe groups. Democracies must listen to their diasporas, but they must not let themselves be dictated by them.
It is time to reimagine the India-Canada partnership as one based not on grievance politics, but on shared values: democracy, pluralism, trade, and technological collaboration. Carney seems to understand that. Let us hope Ottawa’s political ecosystem follows suit.
Economic Collaboration Amid Challenges
Canada’s economy is currently facing challenges, with the unemployment rate rising to 7% in May 2025, the highest in nearly nine years. Economists suggest that while there is underlying job growth, sectors like manufacturing are experiencing weaknesses. Carney’s economic expertise positions him well to navigate these challenges, and fostering stronger economic ties with India could be a strategic move to stimulate growth.reuters.com+1reuters.com+1
What Lies Ahead
Make no mistake — ideological differences will persist. The RCMP investigation into Nijjar’s killing is ongoing, and India’s concerns about extremism haven’t vanished. But dialogue is better than deadlock.
This G7 Summit could be the turning point. Not just for the two leaders, but for two democracies — to step out of a decade of distrust and chart a course of principled engagement.
In that spirit, let us consign the Trudeau-Jagmeet era to the past — not with bitterness, but with resolve. A new chapter beckons. ‘