After months of strain in India’s diplomatic ties with Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Thursday congratulated his counterpart in New Delhi, Narendra Modi, for securing a third term in the Lok Sabha elections.
“Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations’ peoples — anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law,” the Canadian Prime Minister’s official account on X quoted Trudeau as saying.
There has been bitterness in Canada and India’s relations ever since Trudeau’s comments last year, alleging India’s involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has rejected Canada’s allegations.
In May this year, Canada “informed” India about the arrest of three individuals in connection with Nijjar murder case. India said that Ottawa has “not shared any specific or relevant evidence or information till date”. A fourth Indian national was arrested in Canada in connection with the case just days after. The Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, on May 7 warned that Sikh groups in Canada who call for the separation of their homeland from India are crossing “a big red line” that New Delhi sees as a matter of national security. He added that both the countries were trying to “resolve” the issue.
Modi is set to form the government for the third time after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Wednesday elected him as the leader of the bloc.