New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday hailed the recent engagement between India and Canada as a 'positive development', after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney 'agreed to take calibrated steps to restore stability to the relationship' and decided to restore High Commissioners to each other's capitals.

The Union Minister stated that after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney, the bilateral relationship will now be handled in a more focused manner.

'With Canada, I think there is a special significance... The relationship had almost completely derailed... But the decision that the two sides, after a very fruitful discussion that the PM had with his Canadian counterpart, restore diplomatic relations...the decision that designated new envoys to be stationed in Canada and India, I think, is a very positive development. 'It means that the relationship will now be handled in a more focused manner,' Puri told ANI.

During the meeting at the sidelines of the G7 Summit held in Canada's Kananaskis, PM Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney also agreed to resume senior-level dialogues on trade, people-to-people contact, and connectivity. They also decided that the trade negotiations -- which were paused -- will be taken up soon.

Both countries also planned to collaborate on clean energy, technology, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), food security, and critical minerals. The leaders agreed to stay in touch and meet again soon to further strengthen their ties.

Last year, tensions had escalated between India and Canada when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that his government had 'credible allegations' of India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in 2023.

India has strongly denied the allegations, terming them 'absurd' and 'motivated', and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements. In the aftermath, India recalled six diplomats from Canada after they were declared 'persons of interest' by Canadian authorities investigating Nijjar's killing. Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.

Puri also took a dig at the Congress party, accusing it of spreading 'fake news.' The BJP leader asserted that Prime Minister Modi has been actively participating in the G7 summits for several years and continues to play a key role in advancing diplomatic engagement on the global stage.

'...Since this G7 Summit was being hosted by Canada, in Calgary, there were a lot of fake narratives which were flowing out of the lie-producing factory which is presently anchored in the INC - things about not being invited, this has not happened, that has not happened.' Facts of the matter are that the PM has been an invitee to G7 Summits for several years now. He not only participates but he is always promoting the processes of diplomacy and peace no matter where the tension points globally are,' the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas said.

Narendra Modi concluded his visit to Canada, where he participated in the G7 Summit and departed for Croatia. During his visit, PM Modi expressed gratitude to the people and government of Canada for hosting a successful G7 Summit and underscored how India remains committed to the cause of global peace, prosperity and security. (ANI)