Latest news with #Indo-Canadian
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Indo-Canadian organisations call upon British Columbia govt to establish learning centre in remembrance of Air India flight bombing
Toronto: A coalition of Indo-Canadian organisations has called upon the Government of the province of British Columbia to establish a learning centre in remembrance of the bombing of Air India flight 182, the Kanishka, in June 1985. That request was made in a letter sent by representatives of five organisations to the Premier (equivalent of an Indian Chief Minister) of the province David Eby. While a memorial to the victims of the bombing of the Kanishka by pro-Khalistan terrorists on June 23, 1985, was established in 2007 at Stanley Park in Vancouver, the Indo-Canadian groups want a learning centre 'to teach future generations about the real cost of extremism'. The letter to Eby stated that the centre was envisioned as 'not merely a site of memory but a living testament to the resilience of our communities and a powerful statement of our collective values'. 'Premier Eby, building this centre is not only a moral imperative – it is a profound act of reconciliation and compassion. It represents our shared commitment to justice, our determination to confront hate, and our duty to nurture a safer, more cohesive society for future generations,' the letter noted. The first memorial dedicated to the tragedy was established in Ahakista in Ireland in 1986. The bomb planted by the pro-Khalistsan separatists exploded while the Kanishka was flying close to Ireland and debris washed up on and near its shores. Memorials also exist in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal in recognition of what remains the worst incident of terrorism in Canadian history, and the worst instance of aviation-related terrorism till 9/11. A total of 331 persons died in the bombs targeting the Air India flight, with 329 of them aboard the Kanishka. Two Japanese baggage handlers who were killed when a second bomb placed within luggage on another Air India plane exploded at Narita airport. The victims included 268 Canadian citizens and 82 children. A website seeking the centre has also been established ahead of the 40th anniversary of the terror attack. It states, 'This was not a plane crash. It was a preventable act of terrorism, rooted in extremism and worsened by failures in Canada's intelligence, security, and justice systems.'
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'One Step At A Time': Canada Foreign Minister Anita Anand Says India Ties Will Be Repaired
Last Updated: India-Canada ties hit an all-time low during Justin Trudeau's tenure after he accused India of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Days after her telephonic conversation with Dr S Jaishankar, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Thursday (local time) said that Ottawa looks forward to rebuilding its ruptured ties with New Delhi and it is taking 'one step at a time" in that direction, according to a report. Mentioning the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023 – the blame of which was brazenly put on India by then prime minister Justin Trudeau, leading to India-Canada ties hitting an all-time low – Anand said that while the investigation into the case is underway, the Mark Carney government aims to rebuild a partnership with the Modi government. The India-Canada ties suffered a major blow in September 2023, when Trudeau accused India of playing a role in the killing of the Khalistani terrorist, who was a Canadian citizen. He claimed that he had 'credible allegations" of the involvement of Indian government officials in Nijjar's death. India denied the baseless allegations. These tensions led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats, a freeze on trade negotiations, among other steps. Around 20 months since this diplomatic fallout, the ambassador-level posts in each other's nations still remain vacant. Anand spoke to her Indian counterpart, Jaishankar, on Sunday and discussed 'strengthening Canada-India ties". When asked if she believed that the conversation would lead to the appointment of new high commissioners between the two countries, Anand said that they are taking 'one step at a time". 'We are certainly taking it one step at a time. As I mentioned, the rule of law will never be compromised, and there is an ongoing investigation regarding the case that you mentioned," she said in an interview, while referring to Nijjar's murder, The Globe And Mail reported. 'At the same time, we are looking forward to continuing to build this partnership, and we're looking forward to that as a government – it's not just me. It's part of the process of diversifying our relationships and building relationships around the world," the Foreign Minister added, indicating the country's efforts to diversify trade away from the United States – which has threatened Canada's sovereignty under President Donald Trump. According to Goldy Hyder, president of the Business Council of Canada, India is important to Canada's economic interests. He said that he plans to travel to India in July to set the stage to prepare for a bigger business trade delegation, which could take place either this fall or early next year, The Globe And Mail reported. 'You can't have an Indo-Canadian strategy without the Indo, and at some point in time, a mature democracy dealing with another mature democracy finds a way to deal with difficult situations," he said. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 30, 2025, 09:26 IST
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Carney govt seeks to build ties with India, says Canadian minister amid strained relations
Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand has said that Prime Minister Mark Carney's government looks forward to building its partnership with India as part of diversifying and building relationships globally, even as she acknowledged that pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing continues to cast a shadow on bilateral ties. She said Ottawa was taking the relationship forward one step at a time. 'At the same time, we are looking forward to continuing to build this partnership, and we're looking forward to that as a Government – it's not just me,' Anand, an Indo-Canadian, told the Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail. Anand emphasised that the rule of law will never be compromised. The alleged links between Indian officials and the Nijjar's killing led to a diplomatic rift. The then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the Canadian House of Commons that there were 'credible allegations' of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing three months after Nijjar was murdered in June 2023 in British Columbia's Surrey. India dismissed the accusation as 'absurd' and 'motivated'. Four Indian nationals were arrested in connection with the murder last year. Anand said that Nijjar's killing continues to impact the bilateral ties. 'We are certainly taking it one step at a time. As I mentioned, the rule of law will never be compromised, and there is an ongoing investigation regarding the [Nijjar] case that you mentioned.' Anand echoed Carney about renewing the relationship with India. She added that the investigation into Nijjar's murder will continue under the auspices of an independent agency. On May 25, Anand spoke to her Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar. She thanked him for the productive discussion on strengthening Canada–India ties, deepening economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. Anand said she looked forward to continuing their work together. Jaishankar said they discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. This was the first formal contact between the foreign ministers since February 2024, when Anand's predecessor, Mélanie Joly, met Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany. The ministers remained in contact before Ottawa in October last year asked New Delhi to waive diplomatic immunity for six Indian officials posted in Canada so they could be questioned about 'violent criminal activity'. New Delhi dismissed Ottawa's move to designate six officials as 'persons of interest' in the investigation and expelled six Canadian diplomats. India withdrew the six officials, including high commissioner Sanjay Verma. There have been indications of a potential thaw in the ties after Carney became Prime Minister in March and appointed Anand as the foreign minister. Modi congratulated Carney as it became clear on April 29 that he would lead the new government in Ottawa. In April, Carney called ties with India 'incredibly important' on many levels. 'On the personal level, with Canadians having deep personal ties, economically, strategically.' Anand made a similar remark while seeking re-election from the Oakville East constituency in March. 'We will make sure we have strong ties with nations whose people have immigrated here and settled here, including my mother's and father's homeland of India.' There has been little clarity on whether Canada will invite India and Modi as a partner country for the G7 summit in Alberta from June 15 to June 17. Carney is yet to publicly respond to Modi's congratulatory message.
United News of India
6 days ago
- General
- United News of India
Sadhguru Receives 'Global Indian Of The Year' Award from Canada India Foundation
Pune, May 26 (UNI) Renowned Indian mystic Sadhguru has been awarded the Global Indian Award 2025 by the Canada India Foundation (CIF) for his outstanding contributions to elevating human consciousness and advancing ecological efforts through the Conscious Planet movement. This prestigious honour recognises individuals of Indian origin who have made a significant global impact, said a press release on Monday. Originally announced in October 2024, the award was formally presented on May 22, 2025, in Toronto Chair Ritesh Malik and National Convenor Sunita Vyas, in the presence of Indo-Canadian leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members. Alongside the award, a CAD 50,000 prize was conferred upon Sadhguru, which he dedicated to Cauvery Calling, an initiative to revitalise the river Cauvery and transform the lives of 84 million people. UNI SP SSP
Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
India, Canada move to mend ties as Jaishankar speaks to Anita Anand
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand through a telephonic conversation for the first time and discussed strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Anand made the announcement on Sunday on her social media account on X, thanking EAM Jaishankar for the "productive discussion" on Indo-Canadian ties. "Thank you Minister @DrSJaishankar for the productive discussion today on strengthening Canada-India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. I look forward to continuing our work together," she wrote on X. Soon after, EAM Jaishankar confirmed the conversation with Anand on Sunday on his official X account, saying he discussed prospects of the relations between the two countries. "Appreciate the telecon with FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure," he wrote on X. Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for deepening economic cooperation with India. Canada will be hosting the G7 Summit from June 15 to 17. Indian-Canadian lawmaker Anita Anand, 58, was appointed as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs earlier this month in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney almost two weeks after his Liberal Party won the parliamentary elections. On May 14, EAM Jaishankar congratulated Anand on her appointment as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. Anand was the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry before the Canada elections and in the past has served in several roles, including Defence Minister. She replaced Melanie Joly, who is now the Minister of Industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated Carney on being elected as the Canadian Prime Minister after his predecessor Justin Trudeau stepped down from the role. In his message, PM Modi had stressed strong people-to-people ties between the two countries while saying he was looking forward to "unlocking greater opportunities". With Carney, it looks like India wants to turn a new leaf in bilateral ties that had nosedived under Trudeau amid unsubstantiated allegations against New Delhi related to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Even during his campaign, the Canadian Prime Minister said rebuilding ties with India was a priority for his government, describing it as an "incredibly important relationship". He had said Canadians have deep personal, economic and strategic ties with India. Relations between India and Canada took a big hit in 2023 after Trudeau publicly accused India of being involved in the killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil, allegations that India described as "absurd" and "politically motivated". Tensions escalated as Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, followed by a tit-for-tat move by India last year. Both countries expelled top envoys, froze trade talks and suspended official visits. India has accused Canada of tolerating extremism on its soil and failing to take action to curb attacks against its diplomats. Indo-Asian News Service
