Modi’s G7 Canada Visit: A Diplomatic Crossroads for Bharat-Canada Relations

Paromita Das
New Delhi, 12th June:  As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to attend the G7 Summit outreach sessions in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15–17, 2025, global headlines are not only focusing on trade, technology, and climate, but also on something far more complex—Bharat’s fragile diplomatic relationship with Canada. This visit is not just another entry in a summit itinerary. It is being closely watched for its potential to begin healing a bilateral relationship that has been deeply fractured since 2023.

The question isn’t merely about what Bharat will say on the global stage, but whether this visit can mark a quiet turning point in a diplomatic impasse driven by suspicion, political posturing, and security concerns.

The 2023 Fallout: A Diplomatic Freeze

1. Nijjar’s Assassination and the Political Firestorm

The roots of the Bharat-Canada tension go back to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and alleged Khalistan Tiger Force leader, gunned down outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June 2023. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau escalated matters when he publicly suggested that Bharatiya operatives may have been involved in the killing.

Bharat dismissed the accusation as baseless and politically motivated. What followed was a diplomatic tit-for-tat—both countries expelled diplomats, suspended trade talks, and halted bilateral dialogue. Trust, once fragile, broke entirely.

2. Chilling Impact on Cooperation

This diplomatic freeze led to the collapse of trade negotiations, including discussions on a proposed early progress trade agreement (EPTA). People-to-people ties suffered too, with delays in visa services and a noticeable chill in diaspora relations.

A New Political Landscape in Canada

1. Mark Carney: A Different Tone

Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, brings with him a more pragmatic and globally aligned perspective. Unlike his predecessor, Carney has emphasized Bharat’s importance in areas like artificial intelligence, clean energy, and critical mineral supply chains. His support for Modi’s participation in the G7 reflects a shift toward engagement over confrontation.

2. Balancing Domestic Pressures

Carney’s stance hasn’t gone unchallenged. Some pro-Khalistan groups in Canada continue to push back, but Carney has defended dialogue with Bharat, even while the investigation into Nijjar’s death remains ongoing. This suggests a willingness to separate domestic political pressures from broader diplomatic needs—a balance that Trudeau struggled to maintain.

What Bharat Seeks from the Visit

1. Security Cooperation and Extradition

Bharat is likely to use this visit to revive discussions around security collaboration, especially concerning 26 pending extradition requests. These cases involve individuals accused of terrorism, extremist activities, or links to the Khalistan movement.

Bharatiya officials argue that despite providing evidence and provisional arrest documents, Canada has failed to act decisively. From New Delhi’s perspective, this not only undermines bilateral trust but allows extremist narratives to thrive unchecked.

2. Rebuilding Diplomatic Trust

Modi’s presence signals Bharat’s interest in cautious re-engagement, but not without conditions. Bharat is expected to urge Canada to address extremist threats on its soil more seriously, ensure better intelligence sharing, and resume stalled trade talks on a foundation of mutual respect and national security sensitivity.

Understanding the Khalistan Factor

1. Historical and Diaspora Dimensions

The Khalistan movement has largely faded from Bharatiya soil since its violent peak in the 1980s, but it has resurfaced ideologically among segments of the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada. Unofficial referendums and protests in Canadian cities have been a continual source of irritation for Bharat.

2. Canada’s Political Dilemma

Successive Canadian governments have been accused of underplaying these extremist elements to secure votes in Sikh-majority constituencies. This political calculus has fed Bharat’s perception that Canada is not a reliable partner on security issues.

Signs of Hope and Strategic Realignment

1. Resuming Law Enforcement Dialogues

With law enforcement dialogues set to resume, and Carney signaling interest in cooperation, there’s hope for a thaw. This could pave the way for future joint action on intelligence, counterterrorism, and extradition.

2. A Global, Not Just Bilateral, Lens

Modi’s participation at the G7 comes at a time when global supply chains, energy security, and digital governance are top priorities. Carney’s inclusion of Bharat at the summit isn’t merely symbolic; it reflects a recognition that any future-oriented global strategy must include New Delhi.

Diplomacy Demands Patience, Not Performances

This visit is not likely to produce dramatic announcements or reset the relationship overnight—and it shouldn’t. Trust, once lost, can’t be rebuilt with handshakes or photo-ops. But dialogue matters. By showing up, Modi is making a statement that Bharat values diplomacy rooted in accountability and mutual respect.

Canada, under Carney, has a real opportunity to step away from politically convenient ambiguity and toward a relationship defined by strategic realism. For both nations, the stakes are high—economic, geopolitical, and communal.

A Quiet Reboot in the Rockies?

The hills of Alberta may not witness history-making headlines, but they could quietly host the first steps toward a diplomatic reset. Modi’s visit to Canada, in the shadow of past grievances and future possibilities, symbolizes more than an outreach session at the G7. It is a moment to acknowledge missteps, recalibrate strategies, and reimagine the Bharat-Canada partnership.

In an increasingly fractured world, where alliances are in constant flux, such moments of cautious reconnection may not make loud news, but they lay the foundation for more stable, forward-looking diplomacy. And sometimes, that’s the reset that matters most.