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India and Canada have signed a 10-year nuclear energy deal and several other agreements following a meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mark Carney in Delhi. The pacts cover technology, defense, and critical minerals, aimed at repairing a relationship strained by recent diplomatic tensions. The leaders also pledged to finalize a long-awaited free trade agreement by the end of 2026 to mitigate the impact of punitive US trade tariffs.
Under Carney, the two governments are trying to repair ties that were strained when his predecessor accused Delhi of a link to the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
India vociferously rejected the allegation by Justin Trudeau.
Trade and diplomatic relations almost came to a standstill as both sides expelled each other's diplomats and cancelled visa services. Canada hosts a huge expatriate Indian community.
But since Carney took office last year, the relationship has been cautiously rebuilt, helped by the fact that his government has said it believes India is not currently linked to violent crimes or threats on Canadian soil.
Some in Canada have countered that claim, however, including a Liberal MP from Carney's own party and members of the Sikh diaspora in Canada, who say they believe they continue to be targeted by India.
Following Carney's meeting with Modi on Monday, Canada's foreign minister Anita Anand distanced herself from comments made by a senior Canadian official saying that India had ceased all foreign interference in Canada.
"The words of the senior official are not words that I personally would use," she told reporters in Delhi.
But Anand defended Canada's decision to re-engage with India, saying "we need to have these diplomatic conversations in order to make progress".
Carney has not yet spoken to Canadian reporters since his trip began. His office cancelled a planned news conference following the meeting with Modi, citing his tight schedule.
The case of four men charged over Nijjar's killing is still before the courts.
