Canada’s Trade Talks with India Hinge on Cooperation in Murder Investigation
Canada’s trade minister, Mary Ng, has stated that trade talks with India will remain on hold until there is cooperation from the Indian government in the investigation of the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Ng made these remarks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meet in San Francisco, emphasizing the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed. However, she denied making a direct link between the investigation and the resumption of trade talks.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, responded to Ng’s comments by stating that India is not ruling out an investigation, but wants Canada to provide evidence to substantiate its claims. This marks a continuation of strained relations between the two nations following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of potential Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing.
The ongoing trade negotiations between Canada and India had previously been frozen due to disagreements on certain issues. This halt in talks was confirmed by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, who mentioned the cancellation of a trade mission to India in October, led by Ng. Bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $8.16 billion in 2022-23.
The potential for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Canada and India holds the promise of significantly boosting trade by up to $6.5 billion, resulting in a GDP gain of $3.8 billion – $5.9 billion for Canada by 2035. Experts in the industry have expressed optimism about the economic benefits of such an agreement.
It is clear that the murder investigation has had implications for the trade talks between Canada and India. While Canada emphasizes the importance of cooperation in the investigation before resuming trade negotiations, India seeks evidence to support Canada’s claims. The strained relations between the two nations will need to be resolved before progress can be made on the trade front.
In conclusion, the tensions surrounding the murder investigation of Hardeep Singh Nijjar have halted trade talks between Canada and India. The focus now lies on cooperation in the investigation, with both countries sharing their perspectives on the matter. The future of trade negotiations remains uncertain until the issues surrounding the investigation are addressed.
