June 18th 2024.
After their first meeting in Italy amidst strained relations, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his belief in an "alignment" on various important issues with India. He sees this as an "opportunity" to engage with the new Indian government, particularly in terms of economic ties and national security.
The meeting between Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was captured in a photo shared on social media, with a simple caption stating "met Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at the G7 Summit". This meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, was the first since their diplomatic relations were strained due to allegations of pro-Khalistan extremism made by Trudeau in September of last year. Trudeau had claimed that Indian agents were potentially involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated Sikh terrorist.
In an interview with CBC News back in Ottawa, Trudeau spoke about the benefits of the G7 Summit, stating that it provided an opportunity to engage with a diverse range of leaders. He emphasized the importance of the strong people-to-people ties and economic ties between Canada and India. Trudeau also mentioned that there is alignment on several major issues that need to be addressed by both nations as members of the global community. He also expressed his eagerness to engage with India on serious matters concerning national security and upholding the rule of law.
When asked about any progress in cooperation from India regarding the investigation into Nijjar's murder in British Columbia, Trudeau mentioned that there is ongoing work in this regard. Last year, Trudeau's allegations were strongly rejected by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, who deemed them "absurd and motivated". India has consistently raised concerns about Canada providing safe haven to pro-Khalistan elements operating from their soil.
The murder of Nijjar is currently being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and four Indian nationals have been arrested in connection with the case. India has repeatedly urged Canada to take strong action against these elements, and New Delhi expects Ottawa to address this issue with seriousness.
In conclusion, Trudeau remains hopeful for a positive engagement with India, especially now that the Indian elections are over. He believes that both countries, as democracies, share a responsibility to work together on important issues and build a strong relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation.
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