
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met briefly on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Laos on October 12, 2024, marking their first interaction since diplomatic tensions erupted between the two nations. Both leaders refrained from providing details of their conversation, but the meeting comes amid ongoing friction over accusations of political interference and human rights issues in Canada involving India’s Sikh diaspora.
Trudeau’s government has been under fire for allegations of fostering an environment hostile to Indian interests, particularly following statements from Canadian officials that strained the India-Canada relationship. However, Modi’s interaction with Trudeau was seen by analysts as a possible step toward easing tensions between the two nations.
Although both governments have kept the details of their conversation private, their meeting at the ASEAN Summit is significant in light of the growing need for cooperation between India and Canada on various global issues, including trade and security. The brief exchange between the two leaders is being closely watched for further developments in diplomatic relations.