Modi, Trudeau briefly interact at G7 summit amid tensions over Nijjar killing allegations

Toronto: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a brief interaction with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the margins of the G27 leaders’ summit in Apulia, Italy, on Friday, marking the first meeting between the two leaders since the latter’s statement in the House of Commons on September 18 last year that there were “credible allegations” of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia three months earlier.

The meeting was not on the official schedule of either PM.

A photo of the two leaders together, neither smiling, was posted by Modi on X. “The Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his re-election and the leaders had a brief discussion on the bilateral relationship,” a spokesperson for the Canadian PMO said in a statement cited by the outlet Globe and Mail. “”Of course there are important issues between our two countries right now. You can appreciate that we won’t be making any further statements at this time,” the statement added.

Later, during a press conference after the G7 engagements, Trudeau said, “I’m not going to get into the details of this important, sensitive issue that we need to follow up, but this was a commitment to work together, in the coming times, to deal with some very important issues,” according to the outlet CBC News.

He did not, however, reveal whether the Nijjar matter or the issue of alleged foreign interference by India in Canada, were raised.

“We need to continue to engage with various partners around the world, with various partners, even as we highlight challenges as we stand up for the rule of law,” he added.

Trudeau’s office had issued a statement on June 5 following the re-election of Modi to a third term. That statement had stated, ““As bilateral and Indo-Pacific partners, Canada stands ready to work together to advance the relationship between our peoples – anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.” Four days later, Modi had responded on X, “India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns.”

The last time they had met in person was at the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi in September last year. It later emerged that Trudeau had raised the issue of Nijjar’s murder during that exchange. At the time, his PMO had said that Trudeau “raised the importance of respecting the rule of law, democratic principles, and national sovereignty.”

A statement from the External Affairs Ministry at the time stated that “mutual respect and trust” were essential for the progress of the relationship, while stressing on New Delhi’s “strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada.”

Canada will host the next G7 leaders’ meeting in Kananaskis, Alberta, in 2025. India was invited as an outreach partner for the previous events in Italy, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom. However, India had not been an invitee when Canada’s last hosted the summit in 2018 in Charlevoix, Quebec, in 2018.