Relationship dossier
Canada
India
Relationship assessment
Nuclear cooperation persists in the background of a severe diplomatic and security dispute.
Canada toward India
-45Canada publicly alleged in 2023 that Indian government agents were linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In 2024, Canada expelled Indian diplomats amid its investigation and related allegations, substantially worsening bilateral relations.
India toward Canada
-45India rejected Canada’s allegations concerning the Nijjar killing, expelled Canadian diplomats in response to Canada’s actions, and temporarily suspended visa services for Canadian citizens in 2023.
Overall relationship
-40Civilian nuclear cooperation and a uranium supply arrangement provide a substantive basis for bilateral engagement. However, the Nijjar-related dispute, reciprocal diplomatic expulsions and India’s temporary visa suspension have created a major and enduring strain on the relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Canada and India have maintained cooperation, including civilian nuclear agreements and a uranium supply arrangement. Relations have also been sharply strained by Canada’s allegations that Indian government agents were involved in the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which India rejects. The dispute led to diplomatic expulsions and a temporary suspension of Indian visa services for Canadians, leaving a serious bilateral rupture alongside earlier cooperation.
Areas of tension
- Canada’s allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
- India’s rejection of Canada’s allegations and objections to Canadian handling of the dispute
- Reciprocal diplomatic expulsions and disruption of consular services
Key developments
Canada and India concluded a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement.
The governments reached a uranium supply arrangement.
Canada publicly alleged Indian government involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar; India rejected the allegation.
India temporarily suspended visa services for Canadian citizens amid the diplomatic dispute.
Canada and India expelled each other’s diplomats amid escalating allegations and responses concerning the Nijjar case.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of the civilian nuclear and uranium arrangements are unclear.
- The extent of any current government-to-government cooperation outside the security dispute is unclear.
- The effects of the diplomatic expulsions on routine bilateral engagement are uncertain.