According to Shanti Cosentino, a representative for Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng, the October trade mission from Canada to India has been postponed. “At this time, we are postponing the upcoming trade mission to India,” the official said without giving any further details. However, Canada had briefly stopped talks on a trade pact with India earlier that month.
This scenario happened not long after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Justin Trudeau of Canada had a conversation outside of the New Delhi G20 Summit.
On September 10, PM Modi and the Indian community in Canada had a conversation during which he expressed Delhi’s grave worries about the ongoing activities of extremist elements in Canada, which are seen as encouraging secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats as well as posing threats to the Indian community there.
PM Modi stressed in his discussions with Trudeau the need for a partnership between the two nations that is built on “mutual respect and trust” in order to advance India-Canada relations.
After his discussions with PM Modi, Trudeau addressed the media and reaffirmed Canada’s dedication to preserving the right to peaceful protest while also abstaining from violence and combating bigotry. He declared, “Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest, and it is extremely important to us.” Trudeau emphasized once more that it is important to remember that no community or country, including Canada, should be judged by the conduct of a small number of people.
Earlier, in June, a video of a float depicting Indira Gandhi’s murder went viral on social media. This float reportedly took part in a parade in Brampton that certain Khalistani elements arranged. In reaction to the uptick in pro-Khalistani activity in Canada, India summoned the Canadian envoy in July and issued a demarche.
