India and Canada have taken a decisive step toward repairing their historically complex relationship, as senior officials from both countries met in New Delhi on October 13, 2025, to chart a new course. The visit by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, marked the most senior-level engagement since both nations agreed to reinstate ambassadors following a bitter diplomatic dispute.
The talks, held in the Indian capital, resulted in a joint commitment to a new roadmap for bilateral cooperation. According to a statement released after the meeting and reported by multiple outlets including AFP and Reuters, India and Canada agreed to collaborate on critical minerals, trade, and agricultural value chains. The statement emphasized, “Reviving this partnership will not only create opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation but also help mitigate vulnerabilities arising from shifting global alliances.”
Foreign Minister Anand, reflecting on the significance of the occasion, remarked, “Both of our governments agree on the importance of elevating the relationship.” Her meeting with Modi, she added, was “building on the momentum” of the Indian leader’s recent talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Anand later posted on social media, “Canada and India are elevating the relationship between our countries, while maintaining our law enforcement and security dialogue and expanding our economic relationship.”
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar echoed this sentiment, noting in comments broadcast by the foreign ministry, “India-Canada bilateral relations have been steadily progressing in the last few months.” He elaborated, “When we look at Canada, we see a complementary economy, we see another open society... that is the basis for a close, sustainable and long term cooperative framework.”
This renewed optimism comes after years of tension that reached a boiling point in 2023. At the heart of the dispute was the Canadian government’s accusation that New Delhi was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old naturalized Canadian citizen and prominent Khalistan campaigner, in Vancouver. Ottawa also accused India of targeting other Sikh activists connected to the movement. India categorically denied these allegations and, in turn, accused Canada of fostering separatist groups on its soil.
The Khalistan movement, which seeks an independent Sikh state carved out of India, has long been a source of friction between New Delhi and Western nations with significant Sikh populations. The campaign dates back to India’s 1947 independence and has been blamed for the assassination of an Indian prime minister and the bombing of a passenger jet. Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside India, and while the majority are integrated into Canadian society, a fringe supports the separatist cause, which New Delhi views as a direct threat to its sovereignty.
The fallout from the 2023 accusations was swift and severe. Diplomatic relations soured, leading to the expulsion of diplomats and a freeze in consular and trade services. The disruption was felt on both sides, as India is Canada’s top source of temporary foreign workers and international students, and an important market for Canadian agricultural products such as lentils and yellow peas. In 2023, bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to about $9 billion in goods and services, according to Reuters.
Relations began to thaw after Mark Carney succeeded Justin Trudeau as Canadian Prime Minister in March 2025. Carney’s approach was markedly different, seeking to de-escalate tensions and focus on pragmatic engagement. In June 2025, Carney hosted Modi at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta—a symbolic gesture that signaled a willingness to move forward. During those talks, both leaders agreed to name new high commissioners (the diplomatic title for ambassadors between Commonwealth countries), and the new envoys have since begun their work.
With global trade patterns shifting—especially in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies—both India and Canada have found renewed incentive to diversify their economic partnerships. As AFP noted, both countries are now “much more agreeable about working together.” This sentiment was evident as Anand’s itinerary included meetings with India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal and business leaders in Mumbai, India’s financial capital.
While economic collaboration topped the agenda, both sides were keen to underline the importance of maintaining a robust law enforcement and security dialogue. This is particularly vital given the sensitivities around the Sikh diaspora and the potential for extremist activities. “Canada and India are elevating their relationship while maintaining our law enforcement and security dialogue and expanding our economic relationship,” Anand reiterated, underscoring the delicate balance both nations must strike.
The renewed engagement is not without its challenges. The memory of the diplomatic rift remains fresh, and the underlying issues that sparked it—especially the Khalistan question—have not disappeared. The movement’s legacy, stretching back to partition and marked by violence in the 1980s, continues to cast a shadow over relations. For India, the presence of separatist activists abroad is a matter of national security; for Canada, it is a question of free speech and community integration. Navigating these differences will require deft diplomacy and mutual respect.
Yet, there are reasons for cautious optimism. The joint statement’s focus on critical minerals, trade, and agricultural value chains points to areas where both countries’ interests align. India’s burgeoning economy offers vast opportunities for Canadian exporters, while Canada’s expertise in mining and technology can help fuel India’s growth. The large Indian diaspora in Canada—especially students and professionals—serves as a living bridge between the two societies.
Both governments now face the task of translating goodwill into tangible progress. As Jaishankar put it, the goal is “a close, sustainable and long term cooperative framework.” The coming months will test whether this new roadmap can withstand the inevitable bumps along the way.
For now, the sight of diplomats shaking hands in New Delhi is a welcome one, signaling that even the most entrenched disputes can be set aside in favor of dialogue and cooperation—if only both sides are willing to try.