For the better part of a year, the relationship between India and Canada has been stuck in a deep freeze. But it looks like there might finally be a thaw. In a significant move, India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently met with his new Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, and the conversation, by all accounts, was surprisingly positive.This wasn't just a quick, formal handshake. The two met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and reportedly had a "constructive" discussion about getting their diplomatic relationship back on track.So, what did they actually talk about?According to sources, the meeting was focused on fixing the practical problems that have cropped up since the fallout last year. The key topics on the table were:Getting Diplomats Back: One of the main goals is to restore the full diplomatic presence in both countries. Tensions had led to a significant reduction in diplomatic staff, and both sides now seem keen on reversing that.Making Travel Easier: They discussed easing the travel advisories that both India and Canada had issued for each other's citizens. This would be a big step in normalizing relations and would come as a relief to the huge diaspora and frequent travelers.Ensuring Safety: A crucial point of discussion was the safety and security of diplomats. Jaishankar has repeatedly raised concerns about threats to Indian diplomats from extremist elements in Canada, and this meeting was a chance to address that directly.Why is this meeting such a big deal?To understand the importance of this handshake, we have to remember how bad things got. Relations between the two countries nosedived last year after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged India's involvement in the killing of a Khalistani separatist on Canadian soil. India strongly denied the allegations, calling them "absurd."What followed was a diplomatic tit-for-tat, including the expulsion of diplomats and the scaling down of embassy staff. For a long time, there seemed to be no path forward.This meeting between Jaishankar and Anand, who is of Indian origin herself, is the first real sign of a potential reset. While a single conversation won't magically solve all the problems, it's a clear signal that both New Delhi and Ottawa are ready to move past the hostility and start rebuilding their broken relationship.For now, it’s a cautious but hopeful first step.
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