Latest news with #Canada-India
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘New Canada govt unlikely to allow pro-Khalistan lobby to hold ties with India hostage'
Toronto: People involved in ongoing exchanges between India and Canada have been left with the impression that the Government of Prime Minister Mark Carney will not allow the bilateral relationship to be held hostage by the pro-Khalistan lobby. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) meets Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, in Alberta, Canada, on June 18, 2025. (PTI) Among them is former High Commissioner to Ottawa Ajay Bisaria, who recently participated in two roundtables this month in the Canadian capital and in Toronto, which featured senior Indian and Canadian officials, as well as representatives of trade organisations and others. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Bisaria said, 'The signal that the Indian side is getting is that Canada's new government will rise above diaspora politics, it will act in Canada's national interest.' While Bisaria did not directly name the pro-Khalistan groups, they had, in the past, proved influential when it came to Ottawa's stance towards India, particularly when Carney's predecessor as PM, Justin Trudeau, was leading the government. Despite protestations by these groups, Carney went ahead with inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in June, which marked the beginning of a reset in the relationship. 'Both governments are now confirming the reset has started and this will be a step-by-step process,' Bisaria said. The readout issued by the Canadian government after the meeting in Kananaskis noted that the PMs 'reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties, based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity'. They also 'discussed strong and historic ties between our peoples, partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and significant commercial links between Canada and India – including partnerships in economic growth, supply chains, and the energy transformation' and 'opportunities to deepen engagement in areas such as technology, the digital transition, food security, and critical minerals'. They agreed to reinstate High Commissioners in the two capitals. The diplomatic agreements towards confirming those appointments are expected to be complete in August with the new envoys heading the missions soon after. The roundtables this month, organised by the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber (ICBC), were closed-door dialogues on the 'evolving' India-Canada economic relationship. The special guests in Toronto included Sara Wilshaw, Canada's Chief Trade Commissioner and Assistant Deputy Minister at Global Affairs Canada, the country's foreign ministry, and India's Acting Consul General in Toronto Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh. A week earlier, a similar roundtable in Ottawa was attended by Global Affairs Canada or GAC's Director General for South Asia Marie-Louise Hannan and India's Acting High Commissioner Chinmoy Naik. These will be among a series of interactions that will occur in the months ahead, including resumption of existing dialogue mechanisms between the two countries.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Renewed optimism in Canada-India economic ties, says business council leader
Canadian investors and businesses are looking at India with renewed optimism against the backdrop of attempts by both countries to recondition their bilateral ties, said Victor T. Thomas, president and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council. 'The new Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has certainly signalled the opportunity to engage with India, including inviting Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi to the G-7 Summit. In many ways, this was a reset in Canada-India relations, as trade diversification has been a major focus in Canada in 2025.' This gesture was more than symbolic — it demonstrated a strategic recognition of India's growing global economic importance. PM Carney's tone and early actions have re-established some trust on the India file and reignited some bilateral momentum. The business community sees this as an opportunity to rebuild and grow the commercial relationship and hopefully finally sign an Early Progress Trade Agreement after our closest allies, like Australia, and most recently, the U.K., have paved the way,' Mr. Thomas said. Mr. Thomas said that the business community is encouraged by recent signals arising from the meeting of the Prime Ministers and the move to restore the respective High Commissioners in Ottawa and New Delhi. India and Canada withdrew their respective High Commissioners in 2024, following allegations that Indian agents had orchestrated the killing of a Khalistani separatist in Canada. 'The business community values stability and predictability and has continued to make deals and stay active despite recent diplomatic challenges. These are encouraging signals for long-term business planning and I'm cautiously optimistic that relations will continue to improve,' said Mr. Thomas. According to Mr. Thomas, India presents enormous potential for Canadian firms looking to diversify beyond the U.S. market. Canada and the U.S. are locked in a trade war. 'Canadian companies already active in India are seeing real success, on the investment side of things, particularly in infrastructure and real estate. This year, investments from Canada into India — both direct and indirect — hovers around CA $100 billion! There are still many untapped opportunities to explore and with complementary strengths in sectors like agri-food, energy, education, and resources, there's far more we can achieve together,' he said.
Cision Canada
30-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Canada-India Business Council Expands Advisory Council Amid Bilateral Reset
TORONTO, June 30, 2025 /CNW/ - In light of renewed momentum in Canada-India relations, the Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC) is expanding its Advisory Council, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Canada for the G7 Summit. This move underscores C-IBC's commitment to deepening bilateral commercial ties and strengthening the economic corridor between the two countries. The expanded Advisory Council features a distinguished group of senior executives and global leaders with deep sectoral expertise. As Canada and India move toward closer economic cooperation, the Advisory will inform C-IBC's strategic direction and support efforts to enhance investment and trade. "Prime Minister Modi's invitation and visit signifies a pivotal moment in the Canada–India relationship, and a timely opportunity to reframe our economic engagement," said Victor Thomas, President and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council. "India's trajectory toward becoming the world's third-largest economy requires that Canadian businesses seriously consider diversifying towards this significant growth market. Expanding the Advisory to include accomplished Indian business leaders will deepen our collective understanding of high-growth sectors and drive meaningful cross-border collaboration." Originally established four years ago, the Advisory Council has played a pivotal role in guiding C-IBC's initiatives and policy advocacy. Its expansion to include prominent Indian executives signals a new era of bi-national leadership—one that reflects shared priorities, complementary strengths, and a common ambition to shape the future of Canada–India economic relations. Founded in 1982, the Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC) is the premier organization dedicated to strengthening the bilateral economic relationship between Canada and India. The Council remains committed to playing a constructive role in facilitating executive dialogue, enabling strategic partnerships, and contributing to the long-term prosperity of both nations. SOURCE Canada-India Business Council
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
PM Carney has a pragmatic approach, wants reset in India ties, says ex-envoy
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has a pragmatic approach to global and domestic affairs which makes him vastly different from his predecessor Justin Trudeau and this could help a reset in the country's ties with India, according to Stewart Beck, former Canadian High Commissioner to India and former President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Talking to The Hindu on Canada-India relations, and what to expect after the recent meeting between Mr. Carney and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Beck noted that both countries have a complicated relationship that needs careful management. 'The relationship has gone through some highs and lows. In the 1970s, the first nuclear explosion by India had used Canadian technology too, which raised concerns on our side. Then in the 1980s, the bombing of Air India aircraft Kanishka, India's second nuclear explosion in the 1990s... There have been very positive developments, also some irritants ... the Khalistani separatism is an irritant that persists. It is a very complicated one and not easy for either side to understand fully,' he said. Mr. Beck, who has spent four decades as a Canadian diplomat in various positions, thinks the recent meeting between Mr. Carney and Mr. Modi during the G-7 summit in Canada was 'a clear indication' that the relationship has turned the corner after the controversy around the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist in Canada. Mr. Trudeau had blamed India for the killing. Also Read | Canada-based Khalistani extremists continue to plan, fund violence in India, says report 'Mr. Carney has a different perspective. He approaches relations with India quite positively, and he used the occasion of G-7 to put the ties on a positive track. And we need to do that, considering what is going on globally. India is a global player, and we need to figure out the best way to manage the relationship. I think PM Carney is prepared to do that,' Mr. Beck said. 'There was an argument that he was inviting Mr. Modi too early to Canada. But he took the position that it was not about the Canadian PM inviting Indian PM to Canada, but about Indian PM being invited to G-7 in Canada. India is one of the biggest economies of the world, and it had to be there at G-7. He then used that opportunity for a bilateral meeting too. The message that came out from that meeting is that we need to have a reset.' The diplomat thinks the uncertainties around the Nijjar case and likely new revelations might cause fresh tensions. 'Building more trust is the key. It takes more time, mutual familiarity and interaction. Whatever happened with the Nijjar assassination, we have to deal with it. It happened, there are accusations that remain, and we have to deal with that reality. We have not got all the facts. In Canada, we will have to deal with how far do we allow people to go. From may own perspective, having a float in a parade with the glorification of the assassination of Mr. Gandhi is a step too far. These sensitivities need to be addressed. In the Nijjar case, it is allegations at the moment and there is uncertainty about what will happen now. If these allegations are established as true, we have to have a mechanism to cope with it.' Mr. Beck is optimistic that, regardless of the Nijjar case outcome, there are several reasons for better India-Canada ties. 'Canadian pension funds have a significant role in financing infrastructure in India. We have interesting technologies in AI, biotechnology, climate change and we have things to offer,' he said. Excerpts from the interview
Ottawa Citizen
23-06-2025
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
Kurl: 40 Years On, we owe it to the victims of the Air India bombing to remember
'The death of a beloved is an amputation' – C.S. Lewis Article content In the wake of grief, the ghost pain of amputation follows: the ache of knowing a love now gone. The daily, monthly, yearly reminders of existences obliterated. Article content Article content After 40 years, it is also an apt reflection of the ways in which Canada has — and hasn't — reckoned with the deadliest terrorist attack on its own people. Exactly four decades ago today, 280 Canadian citizens, including 54 children, were murdered. Twenty-eight of them were from Ottawa. They met their end in a plane whose journey originated in Vancouver B.C., then was ripped apart over the Atlantic Ocean by a deliberately placed bomb. The plane belonged to India. The vast majority of its 329 passengers were Canadians. But the events have never been fully owned by this country. Article content Article content We report and reflect, for a moment, at this time every year. Outside of June 23, however, an event that should be seared into national memory is generally mentioned only in passing, appended to news coverage of bungled CSIS and RCMP investigations, or to discussions about Canada-India relations. Article content The death of a beloved is an amputation, Lewis wrote. Except for the ghost pain of victims' families, it has been lost, forgotten. Article content A new Angus Reid Institute survey canvassing awareness and perceptions of the attack finds more than 80 per cent in this country unable to correctly identify the bombing as the single worst case of mass murder of Canadians in our history. One-in-three (32 per cent) say they've never heard of the incident. This rises to a stunning 54 per cent among those aged 18-to-34. Article content What can the victims' families possibly take from this lack of awareness among their fellow citizens? At a gathering in Hamilton last month, it was a topic of still-raw anger, and floods of tears. Relatives recalled facing uphill fights for support from municipal parks boards and councillors merely in an effort to place memorial plaques across the country, such as the one at Ottawa's Dow's Lake. For some, it struck a pervasive chord of revictimization. Having lost so much, they had to fight, for so little. Article content Article content Fifty per cent of the general population itself says the attacks were never treated as a Canadian tragedy; this can be nothing short of an indictment of our leaders, our educators and ourselves. Article content Article content There is danger in forgetting, or not knowing at all. We're living in an era of disinformation. Activists are believed when they say vaccines are more harmful than helpful to populations. Grifters like Alex Jones only admit his lie that the gun-killings of 20 elementary school children at Sandy Hook Elementary school was a 'hoax' when dragged into court. Article content The circumstances of Flight 182's bombing are also now subject to disinformation. Elected politicians who know better are unwilling to talk about the origins of the bombing. Veteran journalists who know the facts far better than those trying to rewrite history are reticent to deal with this, because they don't want to feed the conspiracies.
