Canada delays trade mission to India amid rising tensions

New Delhi: The Canadian government has indefinitely postponed a scheduled trade mission to India, adding another layer of complexity to the strained Canada-India relationship. The trade mission, known as the Team Canada trade mission, was set to be led by Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development, Mary Ng, commencing on October 9. However, Canadian officials offered no specific reason for the postponement.

This development follows Canada’s earlier decision to place a “pause” on the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) in August, indicating growing rifts in bilateral trade relations. The postponement announcement came after senior Indian officials revealed that trade talks with Canada would remain suspended until “subversive activities” against India on Canadian territory cease.

According to a senior Indian official, “New Delhi will not engage in trade talks with any country that allows subversive activities against India or its people.” This stance underscores India’s concerns about pro-Khalistan activities in Canada, an issue that has strained relations between the two nations.

The Team Canada trade mission had been announced during a bilateral visit by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, to Canada in May of the same year.

The postponement marks the latest episode in the ongoing discord over pro-Khalistan activities in Canada. During their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 leaders’ summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed India’s concerns about such activities to his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau. In a swift response, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice organized a so-called Khalistan Referendum at a gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia, and announced another round of voting for October 29 in the same location.

Reacting to the delay of the trade mission, Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada (BCC), emphasized the importance of the enduring economic partnership between Canada and India. He expressed optimism about the relationship’s resilience, highlighting that political tensions often find resolution, allowing the economic partnership to thrive.

The postponement of the trade mission underscores the growing complexity of diplomatic and trade relations between Canada and India, driven by concerns over the handling of pro-Khalistan elements within Canada’s borders. It remains to be seen how these tensions will impact future bilateral engagements and trade discussions.