What Steps Did PM Modi and Mark Carney Discuss to Mend India-Canada Relations?

Kananaskis, June 18 (NationPress) During the G7 Summit held in Kananaskis, Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a significant bilateral dialogue with Canadian PM Mark Carney to rejuvenate the strained relations between their nations.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reported that the leaders had a “highly positive and constructive meeting” and agreed on “calibrated steps” to restore stability in the relationship.

“Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada have just concluded a very productive meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit here in Kananaskis,” Misri stated.

The meeting highlighted the mutual interest in enhancing India-Canada relations, which have recently faced challenges.

“The meeting emphasized the significance of the India-Canada relationship, founded on shared values, democracy, the rule of law, and extensive people-to-people connections,” Misri added.

As an initial measure, both leaders agreed to re-establish high commissioners in each other’s capitals as soon as possible. “The Prime Ministers agreed to take calibrated steps to restore stability to this critical relationship, with the first step being the restoration of high commissioners at the earliest opportunity. Additional diplomatic actions will follow,” Misri explained.

Furthermore, both sides committed to revitalizing senior and working-level mechanisms across various sectors, including trade, connectivity, and human interaction, all intended to inject renewed momentum into the relationship.

The leaders also explored potential collaboration in essential global sectors such as clean energy, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, food security, and critical minerals. They also discussed the paused trade negotiations, with directives to resume them promptly.

“Concerning the trade negotiations that are currently stalled, the leaders instructed their officials to address this matter soon. They agreed to maintain communication and convene again at the earliest opportunity,” Misri noted.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney highlighted India’s escalating global significance and its vital role at the G7 Summit. “India's participation underscores its importance on the world stage and reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership,” Carney remarked, also recognizing India’s contributions to global counter-terrorism efforts.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to Carney for the G7 invitation and reminisced about his previous visit to Canada in 2015. He noted that India’s G20 presidency had laid a robust foundation for initiatives now gaining traction at the G7. “It is a privilege to visit Canada once more... The strong groundwork established during India's G20 Summit has evolved and is now taking new shape at the G7 Summit,” he stated.