Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has confirmed that Indian law enforcement authorities are actively cooperating with Canada as the two nations work on improving their relationship following allegations of Indian involvement in an extrajudicial killing on Canadian soil.
In an interview on the show “Rosemary Barton Live” that aired on Sunday morning, Anand mentioned that Canadian government representatives were present in India this week to ensure the continuation of law enforcement discussions.
Anand affirmed that Indian law enforcement officials are indeed collaborating with Canada and emphasized a step-by-step approach during the dialogue. She expressed intentions to discuss the next diplomatic steps during her visit to India.
The minister’s statements align with those of National Security and Intelligence Adviser Nathalie Drouin, who was among the Canadian officials in India this week. Drouin stated in a press interaction that Canada received assurances from the Indian government regarding increased cooperation in the investigation of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
Drouin highlighted the importance of information sharing between the two countries for enhancing safety in Canada. She also mentioned progress in addressing mutual concerns and fostering discussions on the trade relationship.
The relationship between Canada and India has shown signs of improvement after a period of strain triggered by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations against the Indian government in connection with Nijjar’s killing. Both countries withdrew diplomats and reduced consular and trade services in response.
Efforts to mend diplomatic ties have been underway, with India’s new High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, commencing his duties after presenting credentials to Gov. Gen. Mary Simons. The two nations have committed to restoring visa services as part of their reconciliation efforts.
Regarding India’s “One India” policy, Drouin emphasized the Indian government’s desire for Canada to respect its territorial integrity. Anand, when asked about reaffirming the policy to India, stressed Canada’s focus on protecting its interests while acknowledging progress in understanding each other’s perspectives.
Meetings between Canadian and Indian officials have been viewed as a positive step towards restarting trade talks. While both sides agreed to revive bilateral dialogue mechanisms on various topics, including trade, defence, and energy, the Canadian government emphasized different priorities from these discussions.
Despite discussions on trade, the Canadian government clarified that negotiations on a free trade agreement were not on the agenda, emphasizing its commitment to bolstering existing commercial ties with India.
Anand emphasized a cautious and systematic approach in navigating the future of Canada’s relationship with India.
