Indian diaspora sees PM Modi's Canada visit as moment for rebuilding trust
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a three-nation tour, culminating in his participation at the G7 Summit hosted in Alberta, Canada, members of the
Indian diaspora
across Canada and the United States have extended a warm welcome and expressed hope for a renewed chapter in India-Canada relations.
The visit comes at a time when bilateral ties between the two nations have been strained in recent years, primarily due to concerns over Canada's perceived leniency towards Khalistseparatist elements.
However, PM Modi's invitation by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is being viewed by many as a significant diplomatic overture and a potential turning point in
Indo-Canadian relations
.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
New Container Houses Vietnam (Prices May Surprise You)
Container House | Search Ads
Search Now
Undo
"We warmly welcome you to Canada and hope that with your arrival, the relations between India and Canada will grow stronger and more prosperous," said Harjit Singh Sandhu, Vice Chairman of the India Canada Organisation (ICO), Montreal.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Harpreet Singh, a Canada-based journalist, noted the importance of the G7 platform.
Live Events
"The world is passing through a critical phase, and the G7 meeting in Alberta will be a great opportunity for world leaders to brainstorm and find solutions to pressing global challenges," Singh said.
"Our Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi from India, which is a welcome step. There have been issues between India and Canada in the past few years, and I hope during this meeting, things are sorted out and a new path is chosen where both countries develop and prosper," said Harpreet Singh.
Singh emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation in trade, technology, and investment, stating that the over one million-strong Indian diaspora in Canada is eager for "peace, stability, and progress."
In New Jersey, HS Paneser, President of the Global Indian Diaspora Alliance, hailed the visit as a "pivotal moment to reset and rebuild Indo-Canadian relations."
"As of June 2025, Prime Minister Modi's participation in the G7 Summit, hosted by Prime Minister Carney, is being widely viewed by the Indian diaspora and global observers as a crucial opportunity to address and improve the recent strain in bilateral ties," Paneser told ANI.
He pointed to a prevailing sentiment of cautious optimism among the diaspora, referring to the G7 invitation as "an olive branch -- a symbolic and strategic soft restart to the relationship."
Highlighting shared interests in trade, critical minerals, technology, and academic exchange, Paneser said both countries stand to benefit from "strengthened cooperation and mutual respect." He also stressed the significance of
people-to-people ties
, particularly the contributions of Indian students and professionals in Canada.
"The fact that PM Modi has been invited to the G7, despite India not being a member, underscores India's rising global stature as the world's most populous country and fourth-largest economy," Paneser remarked.
"We see this visit as a pivotal moment to rebuild trust, enhance cooperation, and usher in a more constructive and mutually beneficial phase in Indo-Canadian relations."
Concluding on a hopeful note, he added, "In the spirit of progress and partnership, we, the members of the Indian diaspora, wholeheartedly welcome this positive move and hope it marks the beginning of better days for both nations."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Global energy crisis soon? As Israel targets Iran's South Pars gas field, oil prices may rise further to $200–$300 per barrel, warns Iraqi Minister. Here's what happened in Middle East conflict
The ongoing tension between Israel and Iran is raising fears of a global energy crisis . Iraq's foreign minister has warned that oil prices could rise sharply if the situation escalates, especially if vital energy routes like the Strait of Hormuz are blocked. Oil Price Could Surge Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said that oil prices could increase to $200–$300 per barrel. He discussed this with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. Hussein said that if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, oil exports could fall, affecting Iraq and other producers, an INA news agency report said. Impact on Global Energy Supply Hussein said that the closing of the Strait of Hormuz could remove five million barrels of oil per day from the market. Most of this oil comes from the Persian Gulf and Iraq. Such a disruption could cause serious economic effects, including higher inflation in Europe. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Casas contenedor sustentables en Guayaquil (Consulta precios) Casas Contenedor | anuncios de búsqueda Undo Also Read: Israel Iran Conflict: Israel attacks refueling plane at Mashhad Airport and gas facility near Iran's southern coast. Here's why Warning on Regional Instability Hussein also warned that the Israel-Iran conflict might create inflation and economic problems for both producing and importing countries. Iraq, as a producer, could face issues if exports are delayed or stopped. Live Events Iraq Calls for International Response The Iraqi minister said that Israeli military actions in Iran violate international law and regional sovereignty. He called on the global community to condemn these actions. He stressed that continued conflict could harm regional and global stability. Israeli Strike Hits South Pars Gas Field Iran had to halt gas production at South Pars after an Israeli airstrike caused a fire. Phase 14 of the gas field was hit, stopping 12 million cubic metres of daily production. This was the first Israeli strike on Iran's energy infrastructure. Also Read: Iran Israel Airstrikes: Will US join war? Here's what Trump said and who can mediate to resolve conflict South Pars Gas Field's Strategic Role The South Pars field is shared by Iran and Qatar. It provides two-thirds of Iran's gas and is used for power, heating and industry. Iran produces around 275 bcm of gas yearly, mainly for domestic use. A smaller portion is exported to Iraq. Broader Energy Risks Qatar exports gas from the same field. An attack here signals economic targets are now part of the conflict. Oil prices rose 14% after Israel's initial strike. Analysts warn more attacks could affect Qatar's LNG operations, disrupting supplies further. Escalation May Deepen Crisis If key energy points like Kharg Island or the Strait of Hormuz are hit, oil and gas prices may increase sharply. Iran's domestic energy crisis is already deepening due to gas shortages and power cuts. The latest strike worsens this issue and may raise global prices. FAQs Why could oil prices rise to $300 per barrel? Oil prices could rise due to the Israel-Iran conflict disrupting exports from the Persian Gulf and closing key trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz. What is the importance of the South Pars gas field ? South Pars supplies two-thirds of Iran's gas. A strike there affects domestic supply, signals economic warfare, and raises risks for energy security worldwide.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
ECI to auto-remove names of deceased voters using integrated death data; experts warn of implementation challenges
Pune: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to integrate electronic death data to update voter rolls, but experts caution that physical verification is still necessary because of potential delays in updating death records and data discrepancies. ECI introduced this reform last month to obtain death registration data electronically from the Registrar General of India, which maintains a mandatory database following 2023 amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act. This would eliminate dependence on booth level officers' field visits to gather data on deceased voters. V Ramani, former director general of Yashada, emphasised that the Representation of People's Act mandated specific procedures for deletion and addition of names. "Even if ECI has recommended using electronic data from birth and death registration, there is no guarantee that it is completely updated. There's a good chance that unless the data is foolproof, names will be accidentally deleted, considering the sheer volume involved," he said. Ramani argued that traditional door-to-door verification by booth-level officers remained more effective. "Checking data from the registration of birth and death may help BLOs double-check information, but they must visit each location to delete names. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Uberlândia (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo Else, there could be chaos during elections," he said, while suggesting that the birth and death registration website should serve as a reference tool only, not the primary deletion mechanism. The Registrar General of India (RGI) recently directed hospitals to report births and deaths within 21 days after finding many violations. Instead of immediate reporting, hospitals often wait for relatives to make a request in such cases. In a March 17, 2025 circular, the RGI stated 90% of events were registered, but "100% registration is yet to be achieved". "This shows that updates are not being completed in a timely manner. When the reference data itself is not up to the mark, ECI cannot use this as the benchmark for deleting voter data," Ramani said. Former bureaucrat Mahesh Zagade suggested that integrating birth and death registration data should be treated as a supplementary measure, and not a substitute, for ground verification by BLOs. "What we urgently need is a clean and error-free voter list that addresses both new registrations and the removal of deceased voters," he said. Zagade laid stress on transparency in the integration process, with voter rolls published booth-wise across the state's one lakh polling booths. "Citizens should be able to locate their names easily, raise objections and seek corrections. The BLOs' role in physically verifying and double-checking the data is crucial and must not be diluted," he added. Former central information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said there should be a system whereby the moment a death certificate was issued, the name on the voter rolls should be deleted. Election officials said they would look into all the recommendations. The officials said they would explore both the options once the data was made available. "It would be thoroughly checked," said a senior election official.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mega electronics mfg cluster mooted in Aranmula wetlands
Thiruvananthapuram: In a policy U-turn, the state govt is weighing a proposal by a private company linked to the original promoters of the controversial Aranmula airport to develop a Rs 600 crore electronics manufacturing cluster on the same 335.25 acres where the shelved project was once planned. Govt records accessed by TOI reveal that over 90% of this land is officially classified as paddy field or wetland. The proposal is being considered by the revenue and agriculture departments, and the move contradicts the LDF govt's 2016 position. The Pinarayi Vijayan-led cabinet had, in Nov 2016, in one of its first major decisions after coming to power, scrapped all clearances to the Aranmula airport project, honouring its election promise. The govt revoked every order passed by the previous UDF regime—its in-principle approval, equity participation and the controversial grant of industrial status to the largely agrarian land. Former agriculture minister V S Sunil Kumar even staged a symbolic paddy sowing at the site and declared that the land would be returned to its original purpose. Now, a company named Taking Off to the Future Pvt Ltd (TOFL)—described in govt documents as a direct reincarnation of the Aranmula airport firm—is back with the cluster proposal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Show Your Patriotism: American Flag Bald Eagle Garland Graddi Read More Undo It has sought exemption under Section 81(3) of the Kerala Land Reforms Act to retain excess land that spans four villages—Aranmula, Kidangannoor, Mezhuveli and Mallapuzhassery in Pathanamthitta's Kozhencherry taluk. "The proposal was forwarded to us from the IT department. As part of the due process, the agriculture department was asked to give its opinion regarding the paddy land, and its response has not been favourable. The revenue department, which handles land conversion, also considers such inputs before taking a final view. Both departments have conveyed their respective opinions, and the matter is under consideration," revenue minister K Rajan said. Documents confirm that the site earmarked for the cluster overlaps with the land once acquired for the airport. Of the total 335.25 acres, 156.45 acres are classified as paddy land and 13.77 acres as wetlands, triggering concerns under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008. The district collector's report, submitted as part of the exemption application, bluntly notes: "The land includes large extents of paddy fields and wetlands. Many parcels are still being used for paddy cultivation, as verified by agricultural and village offices." According to a revenue department note, quoting the district collector's report, the property remains under scrutiny as part of an excess land case, and land tax is not being accepted. The note, also citing a joint field inspection, confirms that the site includes land reclaimed before 2007, areas listed in the paddy land data bank and active paddy plots. Inspectors also found that adjacent areas, like the Kidangannur puncha fields, are under cultivation. The agricultural officer also warns that any future construction must be planned carefully to avoid flooding and ecological degradation. Importantly, the district collector has not made a clear recommendation on whether the land ceiling exemption should be granted. TOFL claims that the project will attract Rs 4,000 crore in additional investments and create over one lakh jobs. Senior officials, however, admit that the firm's direct lineage to the abandoned airport project has revived old concerns about land use violations, regulatory circumvention and repackaging of a rejected venture. The land was originally transferred to KGS Aranmula Airport Ltd, the company behind the defunct airport, by the Kozhencherry Charitable Education Society. The public accounts committee of the assembly had earlier revealed irregularities in the airport project's land dealings and clearances.
