India-Canada resume diplomatic ties months after Nijjar row, envoys set to return to Ottawa, New Delhi

New Delhi

After months of strained relations, Canada and India have agreed to restore diplomatic ties, beginning with the return of high commissioners to each other’s capitals under the new government of Mark Carney.

The move, announced on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian PM Carney, marks a significant thaw in bilateral relations following a bitter diplomatic standoff sparked by the earlier Justin Trudeau-led government.

It was the two leaders’ first in-person meeting since Carney assumed office in March.

Carney, who led the Liberal Party to victory in Canada’s general election this year, took the summit as an opportunity to invite Modi for bilateral discussions alongside G7 proceedings.

Both leaders agreed to name new high commissioners and to resume consular and diplomatic services that had been suspended last year.

“The leaders reaffirmed the importance of India-Canada ties, based on shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law and commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. They underlined the need to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement Wednesday.

“In this regard, both sides agreed to take calibrated and constructive steps to restore stability in the relationship, beginning with the early return of High Commissioners to each other’s capitals.”

The Canadian PM’s office said the decision was made “with the aim to restore normal services for citizens and businesses in both countries”.