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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to travel to Canada from June 15–17, 2025, for the G7 Summit outreach sessions in Kananaskis, Alberta, attention is shifting to what this visit could mean for the strained India-Canada relationship.
This is not just another global summit appearance. Modi’s visit may offer a rare opportunity to rebuild diplomatic ties that have been on rocky ground since a major fallout in 2023.
Tensions Sparked by a High-Profile Killing
Relations between the two countries sharply deteriorated following the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen linked to the Khalistan Tiger Force, a group labeled as a terrorist organization by India. Nijjar was gunned down outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia.
The situation escalated when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian operatives may have played a role in the assassination. India vehemently denied the claims, calling them unfounded and politically charged. The result was a full-blown diplomatic standoff: both nations expelled senior diplomats, froze trade discussions, and withdrew from bilateral dialogues.
A New Prime Minister, A New Possibility
Since taking office, new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has struck a more pragmatic and conciliatory tone. He has openly acknowledged India’s strategic importance in global affairs, especially in sectors like artificial intelligence, energy, and critical minerals.
“As G7 chair, it’s crucial to involve nations at the core of global supply chains,” Carney said recently, emphasizing the need for India’s presence at the summit. Despite facing criticism from some Khalistan-supporting groups within Canada, Carney has welcomed Modi’s participation and has defended the need for dialogue—even as the investigation into Nijjar’s death continues.
What India Wants from This Visit
New Delhi is expected to use the visit to revisit pending security concerns, most notably the 26 extradition requests it has submitted to Ottawa over the past decade. Many of these requests involve individuals accused of terrorism or extremist violence, including known figures connected to the Khalistan movement.
Indian officials claim they have provided substantial intelligence and even provisional arrest requests, yet Canadian authorities have made little headway. From India’s perspective, the lack of action erodes trust and creates a safe space for anti-India elements to operate.
A Quick Primer on the Khalistan Movement
The Khalistan movement is a separatist campaign seeking to establish an independent Sikh state carved out of Punjab. While its roots go back to the 1940s, it turned deadly during the 1980s, when India saw a surge in armed insurgency led by radical Sikh groups.
Although the violence has largely subsided in India, the movement has found renewed ideological support among parts of the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, which has the largest Sikh population outside of India. This makes it a sensitive political issue, especially in provinces where Sikh voters hold sway.
Critics argue that under Trudeau, Ottawa soft-pedaled extremist activities in exchange for political support. Pro-Khalistan demonstrations and unofficial referendums held in Canadian cities only deepened India’s frustration.
Signs of a Thaw?
Prime Minister Carney has shown an intent to steer Canada’s approach toward a more balanced and security-oriented path. Talks between Indian and Canadian law enforcement agencies are reportedly set to resume—a possible step toward mending ties.
PM Modi’s decision to attend the G7 in person could be seen as a signal of willingness to engage, provided Canada demonstrates it is serious about tackling extremism. While no overnight fix is likely, the visit could open the door to a gradual reset in a deeply frayed relationship.
