Our Bureau
Ottawa
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended his congratulations to PM Modi on Wednesday for his victory in the Lok Sabha elections. However, he stressed the importance of “committing to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.”
“Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations’ peoples—anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law,” Trudeau said.
India and Canada have shared strained ties during last year over Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. Nijjar was designated a terrorist by the Indian government in 2020. He was shot dead in Surrey last June.
India dismissed the accusation as ‘ridiculous and unfounded’. In 2020, the NIA classified Nijjar as a terrorist.
In the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 240 seats, making it the single largest party. However, the party experienced a notable decline, falling 32 seats short of a simple majority and necessitating reliance on its National Democratic Alliance partners.
Narendra Modi will now take oath as the Prime Minister for the third straight time on Sunday evening. Mr Modi had been chosen as the head of the NDA on Wednesday, setting the stage for him to take oath as the Prime Minister for the third straight time.
Several South Asian leaders have been invited to the oath-taking ceremony and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe have already confirmed their presence. Invitations have also been sent to Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, his Bhutan counterpart Tshering Tobgay and Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth.
