• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian PM Mark Carney at the G7 summit.
• The meeting was the first bilateral contact following allegations of India's involvement in a murder.
• Protests against Modi took place as tensions remain high between India and Canada.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the Group of Seven summit in Alberta, marking their first engagement since accusations emerged regarding India's involvement in the murder of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. Despite the fraught backdrop of this accusation, which India has denied, the two leaders expressed optimism about strengthening their countries' ties, particularly in areas such as energy security and artificial intelligence, according to SCMP.

Carney emphasized the significance of India's participation at the G7, stating it would be "ridiculous to exclude" such a large economy, while protests in Calgary dropped substantially from hundreds to around 50 by the time of the meeting. Notably, neither leader mentioned the ongoing tensions surrounding Nijjar's murder, which has been a focal point of public anger, according to AA and TRT Global.

Modi and Carney also agreed on the necessity of a "constructive and balanced partnership," pledging to restore diplomatic stability, which had been challenged by last year's expulsion of each other’s diplomats. Both leaders underscored the need for mutual respect and people-to-people ties to cultivate a fruitful economic relationship, according to SCMP, AA, and TRT Global.