NEW DELHI – May 26, 2025 — In a significant development toward restoring strained bilateral relations, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar revealed that he had a conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand late Sunday. The phone call marks the highest-level diplomatic contact between New Delhi and Ottawa since Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney assumed office in March 2025.

The diplomatic exchange signals a possible thaw after nearly two years of tension sparked by controversial allegations linking Indian officials to the 2023 assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar—an accusation India has consistently rejected.

A Measured Diplomatic Reset

Speaking about the call, Jaishankar said he had discussed the “future prospects of India-Canada relations” and conveyed his best wishes to Anand as she begins her term as foreign minister. Anand, whose roots trace back to India, echoed optimism on social media, stating her intent to “strengthen ties, deepen economic cooperation, and advance mutual priorities” between the two nations.

This outreach comes at a time when both countries are reassessing their diplomatic strategies, after months of silence and reciprocal expulsions of senior diplomats in 2023.

Background: A Relationship Under Strain

India and Canada’s diplomatic relationship hit a low point after Canadian authorities alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Nijjar, a naturalized Canadian citizen and vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement—a campaign advocating for a separate Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region.

The incident prompted a flurry of diplomatic actions, including the expulsion of top-level envoys on both sides. India strongly denied the claims, labeling them “unfounded,” and criticized what it described as Canada’s leniency toward extremist elements operating under the banner of freedom of expression.

The Khalistan Factor

The Khalistan issue remains a deeply divisive subject in India-Canada relations. Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside of India, and some members of that diaspora continue to support separatist sentiments. New Delhi considers the Khalistan movement a national security threat and has long urged Western countries to take a firmer stance against those promoting secessionist or extremist ideologies.

The movement, which gained momentum in the 1980s, has been linked to several acts of violence, including the 1984 assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the 1985 Air India bombing, the deadliest terror attack in Canadian history.

Looking Ahead: G7 Summit and Global Engagement

Canada is preparing to host the G7 summit next month, a platform where global leaders address major economic and geopolitical issues. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously attended G7 summits as a special invitee—beginning with the 2019 Biarritz summit hosted by France—it remains unclear whether Canada has extended an invitation this year.

The possibility of Modi’s participation could signal a broader intent from both sides to re-engage through multilateral forums and restore cooperation on trade, security, and climate issues.

A Fragile but Promising Start

While the phone call does not erase the diplomatic damage of recent years, it does represent a cautious step toward reconciliation. Analysts suggest that both countries have much to gain from repairing ties, given their strong people-to-people links, growing trade potential, and shared interests on the global stage.

For now, the renewed dialogue offers a glimmer of hope that India and Canada may find common ground, even on issues as complex as Khalistan and diaspora politics. Whether this opening leads to sustained diplomatic recovery remains to be seen—but it’s a start.