‘Right Now, The Focus Is…’: Canada’s Trade Minister Amid Nijjar Row with India – News18

A Canadian minister said this week that the country is prioritising the probe into the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which has led to a shift in focus from trade talks with India. During a press conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, a reporter asked Trade Minister Mary Ng whether there was a path back to resuming trade talks between India and Canada.

“Right now, the focus for Canada is to let the work of the investigation proceed,” the minister was quoted as saying by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). “You’ve heard me and the government talk about how important it is that investigation happens given that we had a Canadian killed on Canadian soil. So we’ll let that happen.”

The ties between the two countries came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar, which India strongly rejected the allegations. Days after Trudeau’s allegations, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. Though India has resumed some of the visa services, the issue of trade talks remains on the back burner from both ends.

Mary Ng said Canadian businesses continue to do business in India and her job as trade minister is to make sure they have the support and tools they need. When asked to clarify here remarks on the resumption of trade talks, Ng said, “Our focus is of course on this investigation, that work has to take place.” “And for Canadian businesses, just to reassure them, because they expect that of their government, that the tools are available to them as they continue to do business and to invest and to make investments and attract investment, that the services of the Canadian government continue to be there for them.”

Meanwhile, India has continued to press Canada to furnish proof for its claims. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday stated that no evidence has been provided to establish India’s link to the killing of Khalistani extremist. During a conversation with journalist Lionel Barber, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of credible evidence. When asked if there was any evidence of the Indian government’s involvement in the killing, the EAM categorically stated, “None.”

Speaking about Trudeau’s allegations, Jaishankar said that he has discussed the matter with his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Joly, urging the Canadian government to share any evidence they may have. The minister highlighted India’s willingness to consider an investigation but emphasised that no evidence has been provided thus far.