India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, addressed the underlying tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa, citing a “lack of understanding” regarding India’s concerns over the re-emergence of the Khalistan issue on foreign soil. Speaking at an event hosted by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, Sanjay Kumar Verma emphasized that this issue represents a “big red line” for India.
Sanjay Kumar Verma underscored the status of pro-Khalistan extremists in Canada, labeling them as “foreigners” due to their Canadian citizenship, which India does not recognize alongside dual citizenship. He reiterated India’s stance that the fate of the country is to be determined solely by its citizens and urged those living abroad to participate in the democratic process in India.
Meanwhile, three Indian nationals recently apprehended in connection with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar appeared before the Surrey Provincial Court in British Columbia. The trio, Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karan Brar, face charges of murder and conspiracy to murder.
In response to remarks by India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding the arrests and visa issuance, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller refuted the claims, stating that S Jaishankar’s assertions were “just not correct.”
Despite diplomatic challenges, Sanjay Kumar Verma highlighted the positive aspects of India-Canada relations, particularly in trade. He emphasized the growth in trade volumes despite political differences, noting Canada’s significant exports of services to India, which contributed to Canada’s overall export figures in 2022.
Key trade statistics highlighted include India’s largest import from Canada being coal briquettes, followed by lentils and diamonds. On the other hand, India’s top exports to Canada include medicines, shrimps, smartphones, and a notable increase in Basmati rice exports.
Sanjay Kumar Verma’s remarks underscore the complexity of India-Canada relations, emphasizing the importance of trade amidst political divergences.
