A brief conversation took place between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ASEAN Summit held in Laos. Trudeau himself gave this information. This conversation between the two leaders took place at a time when relations between Canada and India have remained extremely tense for the last one year. Trudeau has appealed to India to resolve some “real issues”. He did not clarify what these issues were. But it is believed that Canada's Trudeau government is upset with India's crackdown on Khalistani terrorists.
Trudeau said that “There are real issues with India that we need to resolve. We are seeing disturbing patterns of violence directed at Indian Canadians across the country over the past few months.” Relations between the two countries had deteriorated after the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023 last year. Trudeau spoke in the Canadian Parliament in September 2023 about “credible allegations” against the Indian government of involvement in the murder, leading to tensions between the two countries. India had completely rejected the allegations.
Trudeau did not share much details about his talks with Modi at the ASEAN summit, but he said the two countries will have to work on some important issues. “I made it clear that we need to work on some issues,” he said. Trudeau also said that maintaining the safety of Canadian citizens and law and order is a priority for his government. “The Government of Canada has an important duty to ensure the safety of its citizens, and that's what I will focus on,” he said.
Canada has charged four Indian nationals with first-degree murder and conspiracy in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The hearing of this high-profile case is going on in a Canadian court. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie said relations between Canada and India are “tense” and “very difficult” right now. He also expressed concern that more murders could occur in Canada, as happened in the case of Nijjar.
Jolie said that Canada is appealing to the Indian government for cooperation in investigating this matter, but till now cooperation has not been received from India. “We want all the culprits to be brought to justice and any further killings to be stopped,” he said. When Trudeau was questioned on the matter, he said that the incidents of violence against the Indo-Canadian community in Canada in recent months are a matter of concern and the government is working seriously on it. Earlier at the summit, PM Modi met other global leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. However, there was no bilateral meeting between Modi and Trudeau.
