Indian PM Modi government faces setback at international front
Shares
Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng has decided to delay a scheduled trade mission to India in October, as revealed by an official statement on Friday. This move underscores the growing strain in diplomatic relations between the two countries, particularly following a recent incident at the G20 summit in New Delhi where India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly reprimanded Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Shanti Cosentino, a spokesperson for Minister Mary Ng, confirmed the postponement of the upcoming trade mission to India but did not provide a specific explanation for the decision. This delay comes in the wake of the tense encounter between the two leaders during the G20 summit, where Prime Minister Modi granted Prime Minister Trudeau only a brief and informal meeting on the sidelines.
Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside of Punjab in India, and this has been a point of contention between the two nations.
India has accused Canada of indirectly supporting secessionist activities and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, which has led to damage to diplomatic facilities and threats against the Indian community in Canada, including their places of worship.
In a tit-for-tat response, both countries have suspended trade talks. Canada announced its pause earlier this month, citing the need to "take stock" of the situation, while India's decision to halt trade negotiations further underscores the escalating tension in their bilateral relations.
