This week, an official from Canada said that trade discussions with India will now take a backseat while the nation prioritizes the investigation into the death of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trade Minister Mary Ng was asked by a reporter on Wednesday at a press conference in San Francisco whether there was a way to go back to trade negotiations between India and Canada.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the minister said, “Right now, Canada is focused on letting the work of the investigation proceed.” You’ve heard the government and I discuss how critical it is that an inquiry be conducted in light of the fact that a Canadian was slain on Canadian territory. We’ll allow it to occur.
Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims in September of the “potential” participation of Indian spies in the death of Nijjar—which India categorically denied—the relationship between the two nations became severely strained. Days following Trudeau’s accusations, India demanded that Ottawa reduce its diplomatic representation in the nation to maintain parity and briefly halted the granting of visas to Canadian nationals. Even though India has started offering certain visa services again, both parties continue to put off holding trade negotiations.
According to Mary Ng, commerce minister, it is her responsibility to ensure that Canadian companies have the resources and assistance they need to do business in India. Ng said, “Our focus is of course on this investigation; that work has to take place,” when pressed to elaborate on his comments about the start of trade negotiations. “And for Canadian businesses, just to reassure them—because they expect that from their government—that the resources they need to continue operating their businesses, investing, attracting capital, and making investments are all still available to them, as is the support of the Canadian government.”
India hasn’t stopped pressing Canada to provide evidence to support its accusations, however. On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that there was no proof linking India to the murder of a radical Khalistani. In an interview with journalist Lionel Barber, Jaishankar underscored the need of reliable proof. The EAM unequivocally said, “None,” when asked whether there was any proof of the Indian government’s participation in the death.
Regarding Trudeau’s accusations, Jaishankar said that he has spoken with his colleague Melanie Joly in Canada about the situation and has urged them to provide any supporting documentation. The minister emphasized that although India is eager to look into the matter, no proof has been presented as of yet.