Relations between India and Canada are tense after the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Due to this, some agreements between the two countries have also been postponed. Talks on trade agreement between India and Canada have also been stalled for the last six months. Now no time limit has been given to restart it. Now there are reports that both the countries may establish high-level contacts to resume talks. A ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is going to be held this week. During this meeting, the leaders of both the countries can take the initiative to start talks.
Four-day WTO ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi
Canada's Export International Trade and Economic Development Minister Mary Ng gave this information in an interview on Sunday. He said, I will go to WTO in the next few days. There I will meet my counterparts. He was referring to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. A four-day WTO ministerial meeting is going to be held in Abu Dhabi from Monday in which Piyush Goyal will go on behalf of India.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made serious allegations against India in the Canadian Parliament
Regarding 'Early Progress Trade Agreement', the Canadian Minister said that we have not taken any decision on this issue. Talks about EPTA began during Mary Ng's visit to India in March 2022. But it was stopped at the end of August the same year. Shortly after this, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made serious allegations against India in the Canadian Parliament. Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.
President of Saskatchewan Province of Canada Scott Moe visited India
Now Canada's Trade Minister said that, I am happy to see that the movement between Canadian companies and India continues. We are also excited about the independent investigation. Before the minister's statement, President of Saskatchewan province of Canada Scott Moe visited India. This indicates that talks have started again to strengthen trade relations between the two countries. Earlier, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Victor Fedeli also visited India. Former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper has also visited India.
The Canadian minister said, I have made this clear to Canadians doing business with India. They can trust us. We will fully support them and will continue to do so. The Canadian minister said. India's High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma said during a media event in Toronto on Friday that the two countries were very close to concluding the EPTA but the Canadian side suddenly put it on hold.