India and Canada have taken a significant step toward repairing a relationship that had nearly collapsed under former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. On October 13, both nations announced that they had reached a “consensus on a new roadmap” to guide their future ties and strengthen cooperation across a wide range of sectors. The announcement, made after talks between Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, in New Delhi, marks the clearest sign yet that the two countries are ready to move past years of mistrust and diplomatic tension.

The new roadmap aims to revive a partnership once described as full of promise but marred by political disagreements, security concerns, and accusations that strained the very foundation of bilateral engagement. For both New Delhi and Ottawa, the decision to restart high-level dialogue represents an effort to align strategic and economic interests amid an increasingly polarized global environment.

The relationship between India and Canada has been rocky in recent years. Tensions escalated sharply during Justin Trudeau’s tenure, particularly after the G20 summit in New Delhi in 2023. At that time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over what he described as the tolerance of anti-India extremism in Canada-specifically, activities linked to pro-Khalistan groups advocating for a separate Sikh homeland.

Matters worsened in October 2024 when Ottawa accused Indian diplomats of involvement in the alleged targeting of Sikh activists in Canada. The fallout from those allegations triggered a diplomatic standoff, with both countries expelling each other’s diplomats. Trade negotiations stalled, and bilateral meetings were postponed indefinitely.

The shift in Canada’s political leadership earlier this........

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