Canada and India Rebuild Ties: New ‘Ambitious Roadmap’ to Strengthen Bilateral Relations After Diplomatic Rift

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Canada and India have agreed on an ambitious new roadmap to strengthen bilateral ties—two years after relations soured over the killing of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The announcement followed a meeting in New Delhi on Monday between Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Both sides emphasized that, amid global uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics, a strong and resilient partnership between India and Canada is vital.

According to a joint statement, the roadmap focuses on reviving economic cooperation and initiating ministerial-level discussions on trade and investment in the coming months. Priority areas include agriculture, science and technology, civil nuclear collaboration, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and energy.

“Reviving this partnership will not only enhance economic cooperation but also strengthen supply chain resilience and strategic stability in an increasingly complex world,” the statement read.

The move marks another step toward normalizing relations that were deeply strained following former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2023 allegation that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist, in Surrey, British Columbia. India firmly rejected the accusation, calling it baseless, and both countries expelled several diplomats in the aftermath.

Under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership, Ottawa has made steady efforts to rebuild diplomatic bridges. In September, both nations reappointed their high commissioners — Christopher Cooter for Canada and a new envoy from India — marking what Carney described as a “necessary first step” toward restoring mutual respect and cooperation.

Anand also confirmed ongoing collaboration between Indian and Canadian law enforcement agencies, signaling progress in areas of transnational crime and security cooperation.

However, not all responses have been positive. The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) expressed concern that the joint statement failed to address issues of foreign interference and transnational repression. WSO president Danish Singh criticized the move as “appeasement,” arguing that Canada must prioritize protecting its sovereignty and citizens.

Despite criticism, the latest engagement reflects a pragmatic shift in Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy — balancing diplomacy, security, and economic interests while seeking constructive engagement with India.