A day after taking oath as Prime Minister for a third straight term, Narendra Modi on Monday responded to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau’s congratulatory message and said he looks forward to the two countries working together based on “mutual understanding and respect for each other’s concerns.”
“Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's concerns,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
PM Modi’s response comes amid ongoing tensions with Canada following Trudeau’s comments last year alleging India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated".
Incidentally, PM Modi took four days to reply to Trudeau’s congratulatory post, whereas he had promptly responded to similar well-wishes from other world leaders.
Trudeau had previously extended his wishes to PM Modi on June 6, following the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The coalition secured 294 out of 543 seats.
“Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory,” Trudeau had tweeted. “Canada stands ready to work with his government, fostering a relationship anchored in human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.”
In May, Canada said it had arrested three individuals in connection with the Nijjar murder case, more than seven months after Trudeau claimed Indian government agents might have been involved in Nijjar's killing. The three men, all Indian nationals, were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
A fourth Indian national was arrested in Canada in the case just days later. India said Ottawa has "not shared any specific or relevant evidence or information to date" in connection with Nijjar's killing.
India has maintained that the main issue between the two countries is Canada allowing pro-Khalistani elements to operate from its soil with impunity. There have been instances of pro-Khalistani elements threatening to harm Indian diplomats.
Days after Trudeau's allegations last year, India asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. Canada subsequently withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India.
