Britain to Continue Trade Talks with India Despite Canada’s Murder Allegations
Britain has announced its intention to continue trade negotiations with India, undeterred by allegations made by Canada regarding the Indian government’s involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil. The Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Rishi Sunak, confirmed that the serious allegations made by Canada would not impact the ongoing trade talks with India.
While working closely with Canada regarding these allegations, Britain remains committed to pursuing a trade deal with India. As the country seeks to establish itself as an independent trading nation following its departure from the European Union, Prime Minister Sunak hopes to finalize a free trade agreement with India.
Both India and Britain have expressed optimism about the progress made in recent months, after a slow start to the negotiations. There is a growing belief that a trade deal could be reached before the upcoming elections in both countries next year.
The spokesperson reassured reporters that the trade negotiations would continue as planned, emphasizing that the discussions focused on a trade deal and should not be conflated with unrelated issues or allegations. If any concerns arise during the negotiations with a specific country, Britain will address them directly with the concerned government.
Canada recently claimed that it was actively investigating credible allegations that linked Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in British Columbia back in June. India dismissed these claims as absurd and motivated and urged Canada to take legal action against anti-Indian elements operating within its borders.
The murder and subsequent diplomatic tensions have drawn attention to the cause of Sikh separatists, who advocate for an independent Sikh homeland in northern India, a concept strongly opposed by Indian politicians.
When asked whether the British government planned to raise Canada’s allegations with India, the spokesperson clarified that private discussions would not be disclosed.
Regarding the death of Avtar Singh Khanda, a Sikh separatist who campaigned for a separate Sikh state in India from his home in England, there are no plans for a review. Khanda passed away in a Birmingham hospital in June after contracting a sudden illness. Local police conducted a review and concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Britain’s Trade Minister, Kemi Badenoch, spoke to a parliamentary committee, affirming that a trade deal with India is close and could be finalized this year. However, she acknowledged that reaching a consensus on the final aspects of the negotiations is always challenging.
Both Canada and Britain are home to large Sikh diaspora communities, with many Sikhs having immigrated in the 1970s and 1980s to flee violent situations in the Indian state of Punjab that claimed thousands of lives.
India previously lodged a complaint with the British government after Sikh separatists detached the Indian flag from the country’s high commission in central London earlier this year.
In summary, Britain remains committed to pursuing trade talks with India, despite Canada’s allegations against the Indian government. The negotiations continue, focusing solely on the trade deal, and any concerns will be raised directly with the Indian government. The murder allegations and diplomatic tensions have shed light on Sikh separatist movements but have not affected the ongoing trade negotiations between Britain and India.
