OTTAWA (Rajeev Sharma) — In a major shift in diplomatic posture, the Canadian federal government has officially stated its belief that India is no longer linked to violent criminal activities within Canada. This announcement, first reported by the Toronto Star, came during a high-level media briefing on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, just ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s scheduled departure for his first state visit to Mumbai and New Delhi.
Senior government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the decision to proceed with the visit is a direct result of increased confidence that foreign interference and “repressive activities” previously attributed to Indian agents have ceased. “We have a very robust diplomatic engagement, including between national security advisers, and I think we can say we’re confident that that activity is not continuing,” one official stated. The government added that such a trip would likely not be occurring if there were evidence that such activities remained ongoing.
The shift marks a significant de-escalation of a diplomatic crisis that began in late 2023. Relations reached an all-time low after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. The ensuing standoff saw the expulsion of high-ranking diplomats and a freeze on major trade negotiations. Under the Carney administration, Ottawa appears to be pursuing a more “pragmatic” foreign policy, prioritizing economic stability and the strengthening of ties with the world’s most populous nation.
While the “reset” in ties has been criticized by some Sikh activist groups who view the softening stance as a compromise on security, the Canadian government is moving forward with a focus on a nine-day itinerary. Prime Minister Carney is expected to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss defense cooperation, clean energy, and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The mission is being framed as an essential step for Canada to secure its economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region while maintaining a baseline of national security through ongoing intelligence collaboration.
