Amid the strained bilateral relationship between India and Canada, a Foreign Ministerial level diplomatic meeting was held today on the sidelines of the Munich Conference in Germany. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar met with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly to discuss the current state of affairs between the two nations.
Highlighting the key points of discussion, Dr. Jaishankar emphasized the need to address the challenges affecting India-Canada bilateral relations alongside addressing pressing global issues. “Met my Canadian counterpart FM Melanie Joly on sidelines of #MSC2024. Our conversation understandably focused on the present state of our bilateral ties. Was also useful to exchange views on the global situation,” stated Dr. Jaishankar.
Met my Canadian counterpart FM @melaniejoly on sidelines of #MSC2024.
Our conversation understandably focused on the present state of our bilateral ties. Was also useful to exchange views on the global situation. pic.twitter.com/g1G1VhS3vn
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 16, 2024
Similarly, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly acknowledged the candid exchange of views during the meeting, stating, “At #MSC2024, Dr. S Jaishankar and I had a frank discussion on Canada-India relations and the current global issues, including Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
The meeting between the two leaders gains significance against the backdrop of recent tensions stemming from the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. The subsequent accusations made by Canadian President Justin Trudeau regarding India’s alleged involvement in the incident further exacerbated the strain in bilateral ties. Consequently, both nations have taken diplomatic measures, including the expulsion of diplomats, in response to the escalating tensions.
Meanwhile, India has forcefully denied Canada’s claims – calling them “absurd” and ‘politically motivated’. It had called Canada of not doing enough to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.
