New Delhi (TDI): India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he had spoken to his Canadian counterpart as the two countries seek to ease strained ties.
The telephone call, which took place late Sunday, is the highest diplomatic contact between Canada and India since Mark Carney became Canadian prime minster in March.
Relations between Ottawa and New Delhi were strained following allegations of India’s involvement in the assassination of the Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023, claims India denied.
Jaishankar stated that he had discussed the prospects of India-Canada relations with newly appointed Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and wished her a very successful tenure.
Anand, whose parents hailed from India said in a statement that she looked forward strengthening Canada-India relations, enhancing the economic collaboration, and advancing mutual priorities.
Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside of India and includes activists for Indian separatist movement Khalistan.
Read More: US Warns India to Take Canada’s Allegations Seriously
Canada previously accused New Delhi of orchestrating the murder of the Canadian citizen Nijjar in Vancouver, prominent Khalistan campaigner, and targeting other Sikh activists associated with the movement.
India has repeatedly dismissed the accusations, which sent diplomatic ties into freefall, with both countries expelling a string of top diplomats in 2024.
Read More: India, Canada expel top diplomats over last year’s killing
The Khalistan campaign dates back to India’s independence in 1947. It has been a bitter issue between New Delhi and several Western countries with large Sikh populations.
New Delhi urges stricter action against the Khalistan movement, which is banned in India, with main leaders accused of “terrorism”.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
