Mark Carney (Image/AP) NEW DELHI: Canada on Wednesday clarified that it does not believe India is linked to violent crimes on its soil, signalling a diplomatic thaw with New Delhi ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India. This marks a notable shift after months of strained ties between the two countries, as the Toronto Star reported.According to a report by The Toronto Star, a senior Canadian official stated during a background briefing that Ottawa is now confident such alleged activities are no longer continuing. “We have a very robust diplomatic engagement, including between national security advisers, and I think we can say we’re confident that that activity is not continuing,” the official said.Another official added that the visit itself reflects this assessment: “I really don’t think we’d be taking this trip if we thought these kinds of activities were continuing.”The Prime Minister’s Office later clarified that Canada would continue to address transnational repression, organised crime and criminal activity within its borders, while re-engaging with India through law enforcement and security channels.The Toronto Star further reported that the reassessment follows months of high-level security dialogue between the two countries. Officials indicated that communication channels between national security advisers and law enforcement agencies remain active and that engagement with India is being approached in a “step-by-step” and cautious manner.The news agency also highlighted that Carney’s government sees the visit as part of a broader effort to stabilise relations with key global partners, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. However, some Sikh community leaders in Canada expressed concern over the renewed engagement, saying investigations into past allegations should continue transparently even as diplomatic ties improve.Carney’s ‘pragmatic’ reset with IndiaThis comes as Mark Carney is scheduled to visit Mumbai and New Delhi on Thursday, marking his first trip to India as Prime Minister. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, business leaders and officials to expand cooperation in trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence and defence.Canada sees India as an important economic partner. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $30.8 billion. Both sides have discussed reviving negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aims to double trade to $70 billion by 2030.The Toronto Star reported that Carney’s government views engagement with India as part of a broader effort to diversify Canada’s trade partnerships in a more uncertain global environment.However, the shift has drawn criticism from some Sikh activists. Moninder Singh, a religious leader in British Columbia, told the newspaper that he had received multiple police warnings about threats to his life since Nijjar’s killing. He described the renewed engagement as a betrayal.At the same time, Canadian officials said that security dialogue with India continues. Trade minister Maninder Sidhu said Canada can both protect communities at home and engage internationally on economic matters.Diplomatic row after Nijjar killingRelations between Canada and India deteriorated sharply after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, in British Columbia in June 2023. Months later, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau told the Canadian Parliament there were “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the killing.India rejected the allegations as “absurd.” The dispute led to tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, suspension of visa services, and a freeze in trade talks.India maintained that Canada was giving space to extremist and secessionist elements. After Trudeau’s exit, ministry of external affairs said that it was ready to rebuild ties based on “mutual trust and sensitivity.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the downturn in relations was caused by the “license that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements” in Canada.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRed Carpet Welcome For PM Modi In Israel, Congress Slams Visit Over Gaza ‘Genocide’ | Headlines@8Big Honour for India: PM Modi Becomes First to Receive Knesset Speaker’s Medal”Zero Tolerance For Terrorist Acts…”Jaishankar Sends Strong Message Against Terror at UNHRC’We Feel Your Pain’: PM Modi Shares ‘Pain Of Terror’ With Israel, Slams Hamas And October 7 Attack‘More Than A Friend, A Brother’: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu Hails PM Modi During Knesset AddressPM Modi’s Visit to Israel End IAF’s Need For Tanker Aircrafts | Watch“Pride and Emotion”: Indian Diaspora Welcomes PM Modi to IsraelRed Carpet Optics In Tel Aviv: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu Offers Grand Welcome To PM ModiPM Modi’s Israel Menu Revealed: From Gujarati Dishes to Local DelightsLondon-Based Indian Eatery Shuts Down After Owner Blames Pakistani Threats And Diaspora Tensions123PhotostoriesRashmika Mandanna-Vijay Deverakonda to Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma: 7 celebrity couples who kept their relationship a secret until their wedding – And why6 countries that don’t really have “names” — just official descriptions8 unique shade-tolerant plants for a lush balcony gardenHow to buy vintage designer bags online without getting scammedLesser-known tale of Goddess Kamakhya Devi temple7 modern Indian films that broke barriers and won international praiseMayank Pawar to Danish Zehen: Reality show contestants whose deaths shocked fansPCOS-related inflammation: 7 yoga poses that may support hormonal balance and metabolic healthKatie Leung,Regé-Jean Page to Freddie Stroma: Every ‘Harry Potter’ actor who starred in ‘Bridgerton’How to make Dhaba-style Panchmel Dal for dinner at home123Hot PicksMumbai BMC BudgetTrump’s State of the UnionGold rate todayBihar wedding shootIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingThe RockTyler LucasBrittany MahomesJosh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld Net WorthWinter OlympicsMegyn KellyPatrik LaineNFL Combine 2026Mel Owens DivorceNFL Trade News
NEW DELHI: Canada on Wednesday clarified that it does not believe India is linked to violent crimes on its soil, signalling a diplomatic thaw with New Delhi ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India. This marks a notable shift after months of strained ties between the two countries, as the Toronto Star reported.According to a report by The Toronto Star, a senior Canadian official stated during a background briefing that Ottawa is now confident such alleged activities are no longer continuing. “We have a very robust diplomatic engagement, including between national security advisers, and I think we can say we’re confident that that activity is not continuing,” the official said.Another official added that the visit itself reflects this assessment: “I really don’t think we’d be taking this trip if we thought these kinds of activities were continuing.”The Prime Minister’s Office later clarified that Canada would continue to address transnational repression, organised crime and criminal activity within its borders, while re-engaging with India through law enforcement and security channels.The Toronto Star further reported that the reassessment follows months of high-level security dialogue between the two countries. Officials indicated that communication channels between national security advisers and law enforcement agencies remain active and that engagement with India is being approached in a “step-by-step” and cautious manner.The news agency also highlighted that Carney’s government sees the visit as part of a broader effort to stabilise relations with key global partners, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. However, some Sikh community leaders in Canada expressed concern over the renewed engagement, saying investigations into past allegations should continue transparently even as diplomatic ties improve.
Carney’s ‘pragmatic’ reset with India
This comes as Mark Carney is scheduled to visit Mumbai and New Delhi on Thursday, marking his first trip to India as Prime Minister. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, business leaders and officials to expand cooperation in trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence and defence.Canada sees India as an important economic partner. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $30.8 billion. Both sides have discussed reviving negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aims to double trade to $70 billion by 2030.The Toronto Star reported that Carney’s government views engagement with India as part of a broader effort to diversify Canada’s trade partnerships in a more uncertain global environment.However, the shift has drawn criticism from some Sikh activists. Moninder Singh, a religious leader in British Columbia, told the newspaper that he had received multiple police warnings about threats to his life since Nijjar’s killing. He described the renewed engagement as a betrayal.At the same time, Canadian officials said that security dialogue with India continues. Trade minister Maninder Sidhu said Canada can both protect communities at home and engage internationally on economic matters.
Diplomatic row after Nijjar killing
Relations between Canada and India deteriorated sharply after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, in British Columbia in June 2023. Months later, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau told the Canadian Parliament there were “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the killing.India rejected the allegations as “absurd.” The dispute led to tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, suspension of visa services, and a freeze in trade talks.India maintained that Canada was giving space to extremist and secessionist elements. After Trudeau’s exit, ministry of external affairs said that it was ready to rebuild ties based on “mutual trust and sensitivity.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the downturn in relations was caused by the “license that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements” in Canada.
