India-Canada Trade Talks Halted Amid Diplomatic Tensions

India-Canada Trade Talks Halted Amid Diplomatic Tensions

VoM News Desk | November 17, 2023 | 12:06 PM IST | Canada, India, World | Follow on Google News

India-Canada Trade Talks Halted Amid Diplomatic Tensions

India-Canada Trade Talks Halted Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Trade discussions between India and Canada have been put on hold, as confirmed by Canada’s Trade Minister Mary Ng. This decision is linked to ongoing investigations into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, which has sparked diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Investigation into Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s Murder

Ng, speaking at the APEC summit in San Francisco, emphasized the importance of the investigation into Nijjar’s murder on Canadian soil. The Canadian government’s stance is that this investigation must be prioritized before trade talks can resume.

Diplomatic Row and Allegations

The diplomatic row intensified after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested the possible involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing. India has firmly rejected these allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated”. The incident has added strain to the India-Canada relationship, which has been tense due to the activities of pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.

India’s Stance on FTA Discussions

Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks were halted due to “baseless misconceptions”. Goyal indicated that Canada would be more adversely affected by the cessation of talks, pointing to the size and opportunities of the Indian market.

Impact of the Trade Talks Suspension

The halt in FTA discussions, which had only recently restarted after a decade, marks a significant setback in India-Canada economic relations. The focus remains on resolving the diplomatic issues before trade talks can progress.

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VoM News Desk

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