“The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the licence that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements in the country. Our hope is that we can rebuild our ties based on mutual trust and sensitivity,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswalread moreIndia on Friday attributed the decline in India-Canada relations to the licence granted by Ottawa to extremist and secessionist elements within the country.Addressing a weekly briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the licence that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements in the country. Our hope is that we can rebuild our ties based on mutual trust and sensitivity.”AdvertisementTensions between India and Canada intensified after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist, in British Columbia in 2023. Canadian authorities alleged Indian involvement, which New Delhi vehemently denied. The diplomatic fallout led to both countries expelling senior diplomats, worsening relations.India has repeatedly criticised Canada for its inaction against Khalistani supporters undermining India’s territorial integrity, citing incidents of vandalism at places of worship, threats to diplomats, and public displays glorifying violence against Indian leaders.Jaiswal also provided an update on India-China relations, noting that constructive engagement has continued since the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan.Advertisement“Since we had a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi in Kazan. Since then, we have had constructive engagement at the levels of EAM, NSA and the Foreign Secretary also travelled to China in January, where he met his counterpart…Conversations and dialogues have been going on and they have been moving forward in the right direction…,” added the MEA spokesperson.AdvertisementOn bilateral trade negotiations with the US, Jaiswal said both the governments are actively working to build a framework for the BTA, which would aim to expand trade, enhance market access, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers.“Government of India remains engaged with the US administration at various levels to arrive at a mutually beneficial multisector bilateral trade agreement,” he added.Jaiswal reiterated India’s position on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, saying India has consistently advocated for sincere and practical engagement between the two parties and other key stakeholders through dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a lasting resolution.Advertisement“Our conversations with the two parties to the conflict, as well as with other stakeholders have been in keeping with this larger approach,” he added.When asked if PM Modi would meet Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of BIMSTEC summit, Jaiswal said, “I do not have any update to share at this point in time.”On Pakistan, said the world clearly knows that the real issue is Pakistan’s active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism.“In fact, this is the biggest roadblock to peace and security in the region,” he added.When asked if any Indian government official was invited to the Iftar dinner organised at Pakistan High Commission on the occasion of National Day of Pakistan, Jaiswal said, “Nimantran toh rishton pe nirbhar karta hai naa….”To a question on the detention of Indian scholar Badar Khan Suri in the US, Jaiswal said, “We are given to understand through media reports that this individual has been detained. Neither the US government nor the individual has approached us or the Embassy….”With inputs from agenciesMore from India
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‘Because licence was given to secessionists, extremists’: MEA on downturn in India-Canada ties
