Canada’s Focus on Nijjar Case Halts Trade Talks With India
Canada Shifts Focus from Trade to Justice in Nijjar Killing
Nijjar Case : Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development, Mary Ng, has underscored the nation’s commitment to seeking justice in the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case over reinitiating trade talks with India. The killing of the Khalistani figure on Canadian soil has strained diplomatic ties, leading to a pause in Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) negotiations.
Nijjar Case – Canada :-
Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in San Francisco, Minister Mary Ng stated, “Right now, the focus for Canada is to let the work of the investigation proceed.” She remained tight-lipped on directly linking the cooperation in the investigation to the stalled trade talks but emphasized, “Our focus is, of course, on this investigation; that work has to take place.”
Canada‘s decision to pause the EPTA talks came after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s declaration of “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to Nijjar’s killing in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. The Team Canada Trade Mission to India, scheduled for October and led by Minister Ng, was subsequently cancelled, further escalating tensions.
India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, expressed optimism about the resumption of talks, stating that it would take only a couple of months to conclude EPTA negotiations whenever Canada decides to unpause.
However, scepticism looms within the India-Canada business corridor, with Victor Thomas, president and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council, conveying doubts about significant trade talks happening soon.The EPTA, initially designed as an interim deal, aimed at paving the way for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). However, the current geopolitical scenario raises concerns about the timely resumption of dialogue between the two nations.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s September 18 statement has had profound consequences, leading to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries and the suspension of visa processing for Canadian nationals by India. A subsequent “mass expulsion” of 41 Canadian diplomats occurred in October, highlighting the severity of the diplomatic fallout.
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