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Tag: India-Canada relations

  • India and Canada Reset Ties with Landmark Nuclear and Trade Agreements

    India and Canada Reset Ties with Landmark Nuclear and Trade Agreements

    India and Canada have taken a major step in restoring diplomatic and economic relations, signing a series of agreements including a 10-year nuclear energy deal, following high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Delhi. The agreements cover technology, critical minerals, space, defence, education, and energy, signaling a new era of cooperation after years of tension.

    The two leaders confirmed plans to finalize a free trade deal by the end of 2026, aimed at reducing exposure to punitive U.S. tariffs and boosting bilateral commerce. Modi highlighted a landmark deal on civil nuclear energy, including long-term uranium supply and collaboration on small modular and advanced reactors. Both countries will also deepen cooperation in AI, supercomputing, semiconductors, and jointly host a renewable energy summit.

    Relations between India and Canada had been severely strained after the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, which former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked to India—a claim Delhi denied. Diplomatic ties nearly collapsed, with both countries expelling diplomats and halting visa services. Under Carney, Canada has cautiously rebuilt ties, emphasizing engagement while acknowledging security concerns raised by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service over foreign interference and espionage.

    Carney described the renewed engagement as historic, noting that “there has been more engagement between the Canadian and Indian governments in the last year than in more than two decades combined.” Modi set an ambitious goal of $50 billion in bilateral trade and reiterated India’s strategic partnership priorities, particularly in energy and technology.

    The visit also included discussions with India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, and Carney will continue his Asia tour with stops in Australia and Japan to diversify Canada’s trade partnerships and attract investment. Analysts say the rapprochement reflects pragmatic diplomacy amid shifting global geopolitics and growing public support in Canada for stronger ties with India.

  • Patrick Brown to Testify on Allegations of Indian Interference in Canadian Politics

    Patrick Brown to Testify on Allegations of Indian Interference in Canadian Politics

    Patrick Brown to Testify on Allegations of Indian Interference in Canadian Politics

    Former Conservative leadership candidate and current Brampton mayor Patrick Brown is set to testify before a parliamentary committee today amid allegations of Indian government interference in the 2022 Conservative Party leadership race.

    Allegations of Foreign Interference

    A recent Radio-Canada report, based on confidential sources, claims that agents of the Indian government sought to undermine Brown’s leadership campaign. These allegations include pressuring Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, Brown’s national campaign co-chair, to withdraw her support.

    “Indian consulate representatives had approached Michelle, strongly suggesting that it was not in her best interest to continue working alongside Patrick,” one anonymous source from Brown’s campaign alleged.

    However, Rempel Garner has categorically denied the claims. In a written statement, she clarified:
    “I left Mr. Brown’s campaign completely of my own volition. In no instance was I coerced in any manner, by anyone, at any time.”

    Other claims include campaign volunteers being discouraged from participating and Brown losing invitations to community events.

    Brown Denies Impact on Leadership Race Outcome

    While Brown acknowledged the seriousness of foreign interference, he stated there is no evidence suggesting it altered the results of the leadership race. Pierre Poilievre, now the Conservative Party leader, won decisively with 68% of the vote on the first ballot.

    “Like all Canadians, I take the issue of foreign interference in our democracy very seriously,” Brown said in a statement. “I have no reason to believe that such interference altered the final outcome of the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership race.”

    Brown’s Appearance Before the Committee

    Brown initially declined an invitation from the House of Commons public safety committee to testify, later complying after being summoned. His testimony, delivered via videoconference, is expected to provide limited new information.

    “I have no new evidence to contribute to the committee’s proceedings and am concerned that my appearance has been sought for political reasons rather than matters of substantive policy,” Brown wrote.

    Broader Implications of Indian Interference

    The allegations against India are not isolated. In October, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme accused Indian agents of supporting violent crimes in Canada, including homicides, and described their activities as a “serious threat to public safety.” The RCMP is also investigating allegations of Indian interference in Canada’s democratic processes.

    Earlier this year, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) referenced India’s alleged interference in its report on foreign meddling, which included a redacted section citing activities during the Conservative leadership race.

    Conclusion

    Brown’s testimony highlights growing concerns over foreign interference in Canadian politics, particularly as tensions with India continue to escalate. While the full impact of these allegations remains uncertain, they underscore the need for vigilance in protecting Canada’s democratic processes.

    Source : The Canadian Press

  • Public Safety Committee Calls Emergency Meeting on RCMP Allegations Against India, Heightening Diplomatic Tensions

    Public Safety Committee Calls Emergency Meeting on RCMP Allegations Against India, Heightening Diplomatic Tensions

    Canadian MPs Push for Action After “Alarming” Revelations of Covert Indian Operations

    In a swift response to growing concerns over alleged covert operations by the Indian government in Canada, the federal standing committee on public safety and national security has called for an emergency meeting. The move follows disturbing revelations from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that link Indian agents to violence, including homicides, targeting the Indian-Canadian community.

    The committee, chaired by MP Alistair MacGregor, unanimously agreed to convene Friday morning to address the issue. In a statement, the committee described the RCMP’s findings as “very alarming” and stressed the urgency of discussing government measures to protect Canadians from foreign threats.

    RCMP Investigations Uncover Links to Indian Agents

    Earlier this week, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme revealed concerning ties between Indian government operatives and incidents of violence across Canada, including threats aimed specifically at Sikh members of the Indian-Canadian community. According to the commissioner, these threats are part of a broader investigation into India’s covert activities, which have included homicides and over a dozen imminent threats.

    The situation has sparked calls from political leaders for immediate action. On Tuesday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh urged a parliamentary committee to investigate ways to safeguard Canadians from these foreign threats. Singh, who is of Sikh descent, has been vocal about the need for transparency and protection for vulnerable communities.

    Diplomatic Fallout Between Canada and India

    The revelations have also strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed on Monday that six Indian diplomats had been expelled from the country after New Delhi refused to cooperate with Canadian criminal investigations. Trudeau emphasized that Canada’s national security and the protection of its citizens would not be compromised, despite the diplomatic fallout.

    As investigations continue, the RCMP is urging members of the Sikh community to come forward with any information that could assist in uncovering further layers of India’s covert operations in Canada. Sources suggest that more alarming details may emerge as the probe progresses.

    Source: Swifteradio.com

  • Canada Expels Indian High Commissioner Amid Escalating Diplomatic Rift Over Sikh Activist’s Murder

    Canada Expels Indian High Commissioner Amid Escalating Diplomatic Rift Over Sikh Activist’s Murder

    Relations between Canada and India have further deteriorated as Canada expelled India’s High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and five other diplomats. The diplomatic fallout follows allegations linking Indian officials to the 2023 murder of a Sikh activist, deepening the rift between the two nations.

    India Denounces Expulsions as Politically Motivated

    India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced on Monday that Verma, along with other diplomats, was designated a “person of interest” by Canadian authorities in an ongoing investigation into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader. In its statement, the ministry dismissed the accusations as “preposterous” and politically driven.

    Hinting at possible retaliatory measures, the ministry warned, “India reserves the right to take further steps in response to these latest efforts by the Canadian government to concoct allegations against Indian diplomats.” So far, the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi has not issued any official comment on the matter.

    Backdrop of the Diplomatic Dispute

    While the Indian government did not specify the investigation in its statement, the developments appear connected to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s explosive allegations in September 2023. Trudeau publicly accused Indian agents of orchestrating Nijjar’s assassination in British Columbia, a claim vehemently denied by New Delhi. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was a prominent advocate for Khalistan, a separatist movement seeking an independent Sikh state.

    The murder allegations have led to a sharp decline in bilateral relations. Following Trudeau’s statements, India expelled dozens of Canadian diplomats and imposed travel restrictions. The fresh expulsions of Indian diplomats by Canada suggest that tensions are unlikely to ease soon.

    Broader Implications and Parallel Investigations

    The diplomatic dispute has garnered international attention, as similar cases have surfaced beyond Canada. In a separate investigation, U.S. authorities accused an Indian government operative of planning an assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist and U.S. citizen. Although the plot was foiled, the case has heightened scrutiny on India’s activities abroad.

    As Canadian law enforcement continues to investigate Nijjar’s murder, officials have already charged multiple Indian nationals in connection with the killing. The ongoing tensions have raised concerns about the future of diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation between the two countries.

    With both governments standing firm, the possibility of further retaliatory measures looms, threatening to escalate the conflict. Diplomatic observers warn that prolonged discord between Canada and India could have significant geopolitical ramifications.

    Source : The Canadian Press