Amid the strained relationship between India and Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Narendra Modi on Thursday for his third win in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The bitterness swept in between India’s diplomatic relations with Canada when the country alleged India’s involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The Canadian Prime Minister tweeted on X, “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.”
On Tuesday, the Election Commission of India announced the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in which, the BJP-led NDA secured 293 seats while the opposition alliance secured a close 223 seats.
Tensions between India and Canada
Last year in November, the Canadian government claimed the involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, however, India rejected all the allegations. Later, in May 2024, Canada “informed” about three arrests of Indian men on the charge of murder.
In retaliation, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, “no specific or relevant evidence or information has been shared by the Canadian authorities till date. You will therefore understand our view that the matter is being pre-judged.”
The three arrested were identified as, Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22) and Karanpreet Singh (28), according to Indian Express.
On May 7, the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, cautioned that Sikh groups in Canada advocating for the separation of their homeland from India are crossing “a big red line” that New Delhi considers a national security issue. He added that both countries are working to “resolve” the matter.