Jul 21, 2025, 11:45
India and Canada have agreed to fully restore diplomatic relations, nearly two years after ties were severely strained following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist. The diplomatic freeze began after Canada accused Indian agents of involvement in Nijjar’s killing in British Columbia—a claim New Delhi denied, calling it baseless. In response, both nations expelled senior diplomats and paused trade talks and bilateral visits.
Now, in a joint statement released today, both governments said they are working toward restoring High Commissioners and reopening full consular services. Behind-the-scenes diplomacy and third-party mediation, including quiet engagement from the United Arab Emirates and the U.S., helped thaw relations. Moving forward, India and Canada have agreed to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as digital innovation, education, food security, and critical mineral sourcing. The Indian diaspora, particularly students and tech professionals, will benefit from eased visa services.
This reconciliation marks a major shift in India’s global diplomacy as it seeks to stabilize relations with key democratic partners while projecting a responsible image ahead of the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil. The move also signals Canada’s interest in mending fences with New Delhi amid mounting pressure from its business and academic sectors.