'Extremists given licence': MEA on worsened India-Canada ties

Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that the Canada-India bilateral relations became strained due to the "licence" to "extremist and secessionist elements" in Ottawa. 

With Mark Carney replacing Justin Trudeau as the prime minister, India hopes to improve the ties between both nations. 

"Our hope is that we can rebuild our ties based on mutual trust and sensitivity," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted by ANI. 

"The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the license that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements in the country. Our hope is that we can rebuild our ties based on mutual trust and sensitivity," he said. 

Ahead of swearing-in Carney said that there are opportunities to rebuild the relationships with India. "There needs to be a shared sense of values around that commercial relationship and if I am the Prime Minister, I look forward to the opportunity to build that," he said. 

The relations between India and Canada worsened after Trudeau alleged India's role in the killing of pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia in 2023. 

The MEA had called the allegations "baseless" and said Canada has "presented no evidence" in support of the serious allegations. 

After the heated arguments and controversy, both countries recalled their diplomats. 

MEA held Trudeau responsible for the damage caused to India-Canada ties. 

Also, regarding the India-US trade ties, Jaiwal said that both countries are in the process of taking bilateral negotiations forward. "The two governments are actively working to build a framework for the bilateral trade talks, which would aim to expand trade, enhance market access, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers," he said.