India – Canada Relations Looks Sore After PM Modi And Justin Trudeau’s Last Conversation; What Next?

India – Canada Relations: Justin Trudeau came to India for G20 Summit hosted by G20 Summit for the very first time. But his experience was not as good as others, his plane broke and before that he was served with little scolding from the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The concern from India was over the Khalistani activism going on in Canada against Indian officers and offices. As a result of the same, Canada has made its mind to push a trade mission with India for later than October, as it was planned earlier. 2023 was going to be the year when the two nation put a seal on the agreement but it seems to be stalled now.

Team Canada Trade Mission

India was cited as the “ideal destination” for a Team Canada Trade Mission and the trade mission was linked to Canada’s Indo-Pacific policy. “Canada and India have a mutual interest in expanding our commercial relationship and growing people-to-people connections,” Canada had said.

India-Canada relations strained over Khalistanis

The growing Khalistani activities have strained ties between India and Canada, which has the second-largest Sikh population in the world after India. Following their discussion on the sidelines of the G20, Prime Minister Modi and Mr. Trudeau released a strongly worded statement in which India expressed “strong concerns” regarding the ongoing “anti-India activities” by extremist groups in Canada.

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Indian community in threat in Canada

The Indian community in Canada as well as their places of worship are under threat from extremist elements who are “promoting secessionism and inciting violence” against Indian diplomats, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

It added, “The nexus of such forces with organized crime, drug syndicates and human trafficking should be a concern for Canada as well. It is essential for the two countries to cooperate in dealing with such threats”.

When asked if Khlistani activities and “foreign interference” were brought up during the discussion, Justin Trudeau assured reporters that Canada would always protect freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and right of peaceful assembly because “it is extremely important to us.”

“At the same time, we are always there to prevent violence and push back against hatred,” he had said, adding that it is important to remember that the actions of the few do not represent the entire community or Canada.