(Bloomberg) — Canada is suspending a commerce mission to India that was deliberate for early October, a transfer that comes as broader commerce talks between the 2 international locations have stalled.
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It additionally follows a contentious assembly between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the course of the current Group of Twenty summit in New Delhi.
Modi’s workplace publicly criticized Trudeau after the assembly for allegedly tolerating “anti-India actions of extremist components in Canada,” whereas Trudeau mentioned he raised considerations over overseas interference in Canadian politics.
In an announcement launched Friday afternoon, a spokesperson for Canadian Commerce Minister Mary Ng gave no clarification for calling off the commerce mission, and didn’t give a future date for sending one. The journey had been deliberate to go to Mumbai starting Oct. 9, and deal with sectors together with vehicles, agriculture and data expertise.
“Right now, we’re suspending the upcoming commerce mission to India,” mentioned Alice Hansen, Ng’s spokesperson. “Within the subsequent 12 months we will probably be taking companies to Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam.”
Canada and India had additionally been holding formal talks towards signing an early progress commerce settlement, however shortly earlier than Trudeau’s journey to India it was revealed these talks have been paused.
Ng instructed reporters this week that the 2 sides are taking time to “mirror” on the negotiations, partly to seek the advice of with extra stakeholders. “It’s a standard a part of these conversations,” she mentioned.
India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal mentioned in an interview with Indian media outlet Firstpost that the pause was wanted to be sure that “geopolitically and economically” the international locations are on the identical web page.
“We have now had sure points that are of significant concern,” he mentioned, including that Modi highlighted these points with Trudeau on the G-20 summit. “We hope for decision of a few of these points earlier than we take it ahead.”
India is worried about Sikh Canadians who advocate for an impartial homeland generally known as Khalistan. Trudeau has mentioned his nation condemns any violence or hatred, nevertheless it should additionally defend freedom of expression and peaceable protest.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific technique, revealed final 12 months, put a robust emphasis on diversifying commerce within the area away from China.
“India’s rising strategic, financial and demographic significance within the Indo-Pacific makes it a vital accomplice in Canada’s pursuit of its targets beneath this technique,” the doc mentioned.
–With help from Laura Dhillon Kane.
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