On Tuesday, during the G20 Summit in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen interacting briefly with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, despite tensed bilateral relations. Additionally, the two leaders were also observed conversing with US President Joe Biden.
In a cavernous room at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders gathered for a group photograph. During the click of the photo, Modi and Trudeau interacted with US President Joe Biden, who stood between them.
India-Canada ties have been at an all-time low since Trudeau claimed in September last year that there was a connection between Indian government officials and the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a Surrey gurdwara. India, which rejected the charge as baseless, had previously designated Nijjar as a terrorist.
The relationship suffered yet another hit when Canada recently attempted to interrogate the Indian envoy and five additional diplomats as “persons of interest” regarding Nijjar’s death. India withdrew the diplomats and removed Six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.
Additionally, India has accused Ottawa of doing almost little to halt the actions of advocates of Khalistan who aim to threaten India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Attack on Hindu temple in Canada
Radicals who support Khalistan stormed a Hindu temple outside of Toronto, Canada, earlier this month when Indian officials were setting up a consulate camp there.
India condemned the violence under Modi’s leadership, and he insisted that those responsible be held accountable. Claiming that the incident was part of cowardly attempts to frighten Indian officials, he described it as intentional.
“India’s determination will never be weakened by such violent acts. He commented on X, “We expect the Canadian government to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice.”
Read Also: PM Modi Meets Giorgia Meloni During G20 Summit In Brazil, Hails ‘India-Italy Friendship’
