Justin Trudeau assured that Canada is not trying to “provoke” India, but rather asked it to “get involved” in an investigation into the murder of a Sikh leader in British Columbia that may involve the Indian government.
• Also read: After China, India : Canadian diplomacy criticized for its naivety
• Also read: Indian visa processing suspended in Canada
• Also read: Additional victims : Tim Hortons and McCain boycott in India
“ […] “We do not intend to provoke or cause discord, but we will always be firm in our legal principles and values,” said the Prime Minister in New York, at the closing of the UN conference THURSDAY.
Getty Images via AFP
The allegations made in the House of Representatives by Justin Trudeau on Monday stung the Indian government and media. India has suspended visa processing for Canadians and advised them against traveling to Canada due to “anti-India” activities.
Listen to the political meeting between Raphaël Pirro and Antoine Robitaille via QUB radio :
Threats against Canadian government employees in India even forced Ottawa to reduce staff there.
Trudeau was careful not to say whether he intended to respond, fearing increased tensions with India, a country that Canada wants to deepen ties with.
The decision to reveal the allegations against India to the general public, based on “credible” information, was not “taken lightly”, he said.
“We want the Government of India to take the time to engage with us and work with Canada to follow up on these allegations and help ensure justice is served,” he said, repeatedly.
Quoted by Wall Street Journala member of the Indian government indicated that his country would be ready to cooperate with the investigation if Canada revealed the evidence.
- Listen to Luc Lavoie’s analysis on Yasmine Abdelfadel’s microphone via QUB radio :
We’ll see later regarding economic relations
The consequences of this issue could spill over into the diplomatic realm and poison economic relations, as Canada’s mission to discuss free trade in Mumbai scheduled for October has been postponed indefinitely.
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne is still “not concerned” about any commercial impact, but is cautious about the future. “For now, what must be prioritized is health and safety issues, then from there we will see how things can develop. […] “, he said at a press conference.
Photo of QMI Agent, RAPHAEL PIRRO
At the same time, Reuters news agency reported that Indian steel giant JSW Steel took a step back in discussions to buy a stake in Canada’s Teck Resources, which was the first sign of a potential economic slowdown.
Even so, the President of the Treasury Board and former Minister of Defense, Anita Anand, from India, remains optimistic.
“We have to realize that there is a very close relationship between our two countries, between families, between the business world, and I hope, I know, that this relationship will continue to be a reality. […] “, he said.
