After a period of bitterness, India-Canada relations have now gained a warmer momentum. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have reinvigorated the relationship. India-Canada relations have been improving over the past few months, emerging from the shadow of the Justin Trudeau administration. India-Canada relations had deteriorated following allegations by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India might be involved in the 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Last October, India recalled its High Commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa attempted to link them to the Nijjar case. India expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats.
How Canada became a stronghold of Khalistani elements? Vote bank politics played a major role in this. The Sikh community, which constitutes more than 2 percent of Canada’s population and numbers approximately 800,000. They play a significant role in shaping political outcomes, especially in areas like Toronto and Vancouver. Trudeau’s government also enjoyed the support of the New Democratic Party, the party of pro-Khalistan leader Jagmeet Singh. His government was running on Vaisakhi. Despite knowing that they did not represent the Sikh community as a whole, Trudeau continued to provide refuge to Khalistanis. Despite repeated requests from India, the Trudeau government took no action against the nexus between Khalistani elements and gangsters during its tenure. As a result, Khalistani elements openly attacked Hindu temples, burned the tricolor outside the Indian Embassy, and threatened the Hindu community. The situation escalated to the point where not only Hindus living in Canada were terrorized, but also Canadian Sikhs with a more liberal outlook were instilled with fear. Ultimately, the Trudeau government collapsed. After the new government of Prime Minister Mark Carney came to power, things changed. Action was initiated against Khalistani elements, and some gangsters were arrested.
Canada is now engaged in continuous efforts to improve relations with India. This is a new India, one that is not only strong in its diplomacy but also teaches the world a lesson through its strategy. Recently, Canada’s Department of Finance released a report acknowledging that Khalistani violent extremist groups are receiving financial support from within the country. In June 2025, Canada’s intelligence agency publicly confirmed for the first time that Khalistani elements are using Canadian soil to plan, fund, and promote violent acts in India. The report named groups like Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation, which are listed as terrorist organizations under Canada’s Criminal Code. Last month, Canada arrested Inderjit Singh Gosal, the bodyguard of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, who has been spewing venom and issuing threats against India, and Indian-origin Sikhs associated with a drug syndicate. Upon coming to power, the Mark Carney government agreed to reinstate the High Commissioners of both countries and resume trade talks. Canada showed signs of disillusionment with Khalistanis when the Canadian Federal Court denied asylum to at least 30 individuals with links to Khalistanis.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where the two leaders discussed “restore and revitalize” the necessary mechanisms to advance the India-Canada partnership and agreed on an ambitious cooperation roadmap. In a joint statement issued by India and Canada, Foreign Ministers S. Jaishankar and Anita Anand agreed to cooperate, exchange information and expertise, and support their respective climate ambitions in various areas, including renewable energy capacity, decarbonization of heavy industries, reduction of plastic pollution, support for sound management of chemicals, and ensuring sustainable consumption. The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation to open new vistas in science and technology, including AI and digital infrastructure. The joint statement said, “To foster people-to-people ties, mutual understanding, and build long-term cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, tourism, cultural exchange, and business mobility. Emphasis will be placed on research partnerships in emerging technologies (such as AI, cybersecurity, and fintech) and expanding the Canadian academic presence in India through overseas campuses. This includes reviving the Joint Working Group on Higher Education to expand Canada-India academic networks and institutional relationships.”
Following US President Donald Trump’s tough stance toward Canada, Canada’s stance has changed significantly, and it has begun to care about India’s interests. Mutual cooperation is crucial in today’s world. This is why Canada has leaned toward India. The Indian community in Canada is contributing to progress by assimilating Canada’s culture and constitution. Therefore, their interests cannot be ignored. It is hoped that Canada will not allow its territory to be used for anti-India conspiracies, and relations will return to normal and resume running smoothly.
