Canadian PM Carney issues BIG statement on ties with India: ‘We have been…’

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday highlighted the “progress” his government has made in strengthening ties with India as part of a broader effort to reduce Canada’s dependence on trade with the United States. Speaking to reporters in Gyeongju, Carney said the strategy was already showing results, citing “the progress we’ve made with India.” He added that Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and other cabinet members are in touch with their Indian counterparts to advance this plan.

Carney noted that his government’s approach focuses on both domestic and international efforts — strengthening the country’s economy while building.[ing] “As we pursue our ambitious new mission to double our non-U.S. exports over the next decade, Canada’s new government is focused on working with partners in the Indo-Pacific to unlock new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. he said.

“The Indo-Pacific offers tremendous opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. Canada is ready to seize these opportunities and play to win,” Carney said. he added. Carney’s efforts to diversify Canada’s trade relations are driven by the need to reduce dependence on the U.S. market. With US-imposed tariffs and trade tensions increasing, Canada is looking for ways to strengthen its ties with other countries, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. With its growing economy and large market, India offers a significant opportunity for Canada to expand its trade and investment portfolio.

Since taking office in March this year, Carney has led a gradual reset of Canada’s relations with India, which had deteriorated under previous Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Tensions rose in September 2023 after Trudeau told the Canadian Parliament that there were “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to the murder of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India rejected these allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”. The situation worsened in October 2023, when India withdrew six diplomats after Canada asked for their immunity to be waived to allow for interrogation in connection with criminal activities in the country. Ottawa’s move led New Delhi to expel six Canadian diplomats in response.

Relations began to improve after Prime Minister Carney met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Leaders Summit in Kananaskis in June. The meeting resulted in the reassignment of high commissioners in both capitals and signaled a step towards normalizing diplomatic relations. A “systematic approach” to rebuilding ties has become clear in a series of recent high-level visits. In October, External Affairs Minister Anita Anand visited India where she met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Around the same time, Goyal also held talks with Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. High-level officials from both sides are expected to make further visits towards the end of this year. India has also invited Prime Minister Carney to attend the AI ​​Impact Summit to be held in New Delhi in February next year.

(Except for the title, this news has not been edited by the DNA team and is published from ANI news agency).