NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a brief interaction with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the
G20 Summit
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday, despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Both leaders were seen speaking with
US President Joe Biden
.
During the group photo session, Biden positioned himself between Modi and Trudeau whilst they exchanged words.
The leaders assembled for a group photograph at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro’s hall.
The India-Canada relationship has deteriorated significantly of late, after Trudeau’s allegations connecting Indian government agents to the death of Khalistani terrorist
Hardeep Singh Nijjar
, who was shot dead near a gurdwara in Surrey.
India had previously designated Nijjar as a terrorist and rejected these claims as unfounded.
Relations worsened when Canada sought to investigate the Indian ambassador and five other diplomats as “persons of interest” regarding Nijjar’s death. In response, India withdrew its diplomats and expelled six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.
India has additionally criticised Ottawa for its inaction against Khalistan supporters who challenge the country’s sovereignty and territorial unity.
