PM Modi meets Canadian PM first time amid Khalistani Row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit on June 14 in Puglia, Italy.

| Updated: 15 June, 2024 5:59 pm IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit on June 14 in Puglia, Italy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit on June 14 in Puglia, Italy.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit on June 14 in Puglia, Italy.

This was their first face-to-face meeting after Trudeau claimed that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada on June 18, 2023. Canada has also arrested four Indian nationals in connection with the case.

PM Modi tweeted on X, “Met Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at the G7 Summit.” The interaction between Modi and Trudeau was warm, but the specifics of their discussion remain undisclosed.

Relations between India and Canada soured after Trudeau’s accusations. Last year, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whom India labels a terrorist, was killed outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are now investigating the incident.

In the aftermath of Trudeau’s allegations, diplomatic relations took a hit, with India demanding that Canada reduce its diplomatic presence to ensure parity. Consequently, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India.

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India has consistently emphasized that the primary issue between the two nations revolves around Canada’s giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating freely on Canadian soil. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra reiterated this stance on June 13 , underscoring India’s deep-seated concerns regarding Ottawa’s allowance of political space for anti-India entities promoting extremism and violence. This ongoing diplomatic friction underscores the need for both countries to address and resolve contentious issues impacting bilateral relations.

Alongside Trudeau, Prime Minister Modi met a host of world leaders on June 14, including US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, UK PM Rishi Sunak, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in the southern resort town of Italy.

In addition to India, Italy invited leaders from 11 developing countries in Africa, South America, and the Indo-Pacific region to attend the G7 Summit.

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