Prime Minister Mark Carney said his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta on Tuesday was a “necessary” step toward rebuilding the relationship between the two countries.

Carney said he would describe the meeting with Modi “as foundational, as a necessary first step … to begin to rebuild a relationship based on mutual respect, sovereignty, trust.”

Last fall, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, saying they refused to co-operate with a police investigation into allegations Indian agents had engaged in violent criminal activity and harassment in Canada.

India responded by expelling six Canadian diplomats.

The two leaders agreed Tuesday to designate new high commissioners, with Carney suggesting this would restore diplomatic services to their citizens in both countries.

The Canadian Press / AP