After Canada unexpectedly announced it had paused talks on a proposed trade treaty with India earlier this month, Canadian trade minister Mary Ng postponed the trade mission with India on Sept 15.

Shanti Cosentino, a spokesperson for the Canadian minister, reportedly said, “At this time, we are postponing the upcoming trade mission to India,” without quoting any reason. 

Ng was about to visit Mumbai on Oct 9 along with Canadian businesses for a five-day trip trade mission to revive bilateral trade.

PM and Trudeau meeting

Tensions between the two nations seem to be brewing after prime minister Narendra Modi snubbed his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau. In a meeting held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, PM Modi expressed his deep concerns to Trudeau about the ongoing “anti-India activities” being carried out by “extremist elements” in Canada.

Khalistan, a prolonged issue abroad

Khalistani extremism has flared up in Canada for the last few months. From violence outside the Indian consulate to the destruction of Hindu temples in Canada, the Khalistan supporters are proving to be a threat to relations between the two nations.

Sikhs turned up in large numbers at a Khalistan referendum event in Canada, which coincided with PM Modi’s talks with Trudeu, expressing concerns about the same.

In an interview on Sept 16, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that the ongoing trade negotiation with Canada has frozen due to disagreements on “certain issues”. His remarks came soon after Canada cancelled its trade mission to India.

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