"India-Canada Ties Extremely Important": PM Modi Meets Mark Carney
- As the two leaders met, PM Modi underscored that "India-Canada relations are extremely important". "We will work together to strengthen democratic values," he said.
- Mr Carney said that it was a "great honour to host" PM Modi. The Canadian leader added that together "we will tackle energy security, the future of AI, and the fight we have against terrorism".
- PM Modi is in Alberta on the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney. India is not a member of G7, but attends the meetings.
- The invite is seen to have signalled Canada's intent to get ties with India and the ongoing partnerships in multiple arenas back on track.
- Ottawa's relationship with New Delhi had dropped to an all-time low last year, following the killing of pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. This is PM Modi's first visit to Canada since.
- Then Prime Minister Trudeau had pointed fingers at New Delhi, alleging the involvement of Indian agents in the murder.
- New Delhi had refuted the allegations and accused Justin Trudeau's government of allowing pro-Khalistan groups to operate from Canadian soil. In October last year, India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats and expelled an equal number of representatives from Canada.
- Mr Carney, an economist who joined politics recently, succeeded Justin Trudeau in the top job in April. Last week, Mr Carney said India's position as the fifth-largest economy and its billion-plus population warranted the invite.
- The G-7 summit comes amid an escalation in hostilities between Iran and Israel. In a statement, the G7 nations have expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself and condemned Iran.
- Canada also announced fresh support for Ukraine with a $4.3-billion in aid and imposed sanctions on Russia's "shadow fleet".
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