Amid the frayed diplomatic ties between India and Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his Canadian counterpart on Monday following a congratulatory message from Justin Trudeau in the wake of Modi’s third consecutive win in the Lok Sabha elections.
In response to a social media message from Trudeau’s office, Modi said India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other’s concerns. This brief exchange comes as the relations between the two countries plunged last year when Trudeau alleged India’s involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has rejected these allegations.
“Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns,” PM Modi said. In a June 6 post on social media platform X, Trudeau’s office said Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between the two countries.
“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,” it said. Last month, Canada informed India about the arrest of four individuals in connection with Nijjar murder case. New Delhi, meanwhile, has maintained that Ottawa has “not shared any specific or relevant evidence or information till date”.
Last week, a Canadian Parliamentary Report said India is the “second-most significant foreign interference threat” to the country’s democratic institutions and processes. The report suggests that India’s alleged foreign interference bid has “expanded beyond countering pro-Khalistan elements” in Canada. In the 92-page report, ‘India’ has been mentioned 44 times. The report came a day after the Canadian PM congratulated Modi for securing a majority in the Lok Sabha Elections.
