Jaishankar Heads to Canada for High-Stakes G7 Ministerial Meet Amid Revitalized Ties

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to arrive in Canada today to participate in the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, marking a significant step in normalizing bilateral relations between the two nations. This visit comes nearly two months after India and Canada appointed new high commissioners, following a diplomatic row that had strained ties. Jaishankar has been invited to join the outreach session of the G7 meeting in Ontario by his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand, highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries. The visit reflects India's commitment to addressing global challenges through international partnerships, particularly in promoting the 'voice of the Global South' in international forums. During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Anand, their third interaction in two months. The two ministers first met in September at the UN General Assembly in New York and again in New Delhi during Anand's visit. Following those meetings, they agreed to reset ties and resume trade and investment discussions. The G7 meeting will focus on addressing pressing global economic and security challenges, with partner countries including Australia, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine. The visit marks a significant development in India-Canada relations, which had hit a low point following former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. India had dismissed the charge as 'absurd.'