PM Modi “can handle Nijjar trial and Canada trade pact together”; Veteran Canadian journalist calls him “clever and quite ruthless”
Veteran Canadian journalist Terry Milewski has offered a striking assessment of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic capabilities, saying he is one of the few leaders capable of simultaneously managing the contentious Hardeep Singh Nijjar trial in Canada and advancing a renewed India-Canada trade agreement — despite years of bilateral tensions.
In an interview with ANI, Milewski described Modi as “enormously clever” and “quite ruthless,” suggesting that these traits could enable the Indian prime minister to navigate what remains one of the thorniest diplomatic issues between New Delhi and Ottawa.
A Diplomatic Knot: Nijjar and Canada
The dispute between India and Canada traces back to June 2023, when Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead outside a Sikh gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist leader involved with the Khalistan movement and designated a terrorist by India, became the centre of a diplomatic crisis after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian government agents might have been involved — claims India strongly rejected.
The incident strained relations so much that trade talks and diplomatic engagement stalled for two years, with both countries expelling diplomats and limiting high-level negotiations.
Milewski said the Nijjar case — which is now moving through Canada’s legal system — has been over-amplified by a small but vocal segment of Khalistan supporters and is poorly understood by most Canadians. He argued that the legal process, not executive pressure, will determine outcomes, adding that “the Canadian prime minister cannot simply call the RCMP and shut it down.”
“Clever and Quite Ruthless”
Milewski’s comments highlight his view of Modi’s strategic acumen. Calling Modi “one of the few leaders who can juggle both the Nijjar challenge and trade negotiations,” the journalist noted Modi’s political finesse and resolve.
He also invoked India’s Home Minister Amit Shah as part of the leadership mix potentially capable of addressing complex issues: a reference that underlines the political weight the Indian leadership places on the broader relationship with Canada.
Trade and Diplomacy: Restarting Talks
Despite the fallout from the diplomatic row, there are signs that economic engagement could be revived. Since 2025, under Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, India-Canada relations have cautiously improved, with both sides reaffirming shared goals in areas such as clean energy, AI and counterterrorism and resuming discussions on trade frameworks like a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Recent statements from both capitals suggest trade negotiations could move forward in parallel with resolving challenging issues, rather than one before the other — a dynamic Milewski says Modi is well placed to manage.
Balancing Global Image and Domestic Politics
Experts note that Modi’s ability to juggle international crises like the Nijjar case while pushing forward trade negotiations is also linked to his keen sense of domestic political optics. By demonstrating control over sensitive issues abroad, he strengthens his image at home as a leader who is decisive and unyielding, capable of protecting Indian interests while pursuing economic growth. Milewski highlighted that this dual approach — managing both foreign disputes and domestic expectations — is a hallmark of Modi’s governance style, one that combines strategic ruthlessness with calculated diplomacy.
In the interview, Milewski also commented on the Khalistan movement’s role in shaping perceptions. He described the movement’s Canadian supporters as a “polished elite group” adept at political influence but cautioned that their priorities — such as ignoring Sikh holy sites in Pakistani Punjab — are strategically “bizarre.”
He warned that the Nijjar killing, regardless of who was responsible, has given the Khalistan cause a propaganda boost — complicating bilateral ties further and creating a narrative that continues to echo in political circles on both sides.
Looking Ahead
As India and Canada edge towards reconciling diplomatic differences, Milewski’s comments underscore Modi’s reputation as a leader undeterred by complex geopolitical challenges. Whether India-Canada relations can fully reset will depend on how both countries balance justice for past disputes with future economic partnership ambitions — a task the veteran journalist believes Modi is uniquely positioned to undertake.
Also read: https://channel6network.com/union/
