Candian Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, says that relations with India will improve gradually -one step at a time. Regarding the investigation by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on the killing of Khalistani separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, she said that the rule of law will not be compromised.
“We are certainly taking it one step at a time. The rule of law will never be compromised,” she said on the ongoing investigation regarding the Nijjar case.
“At the same time, we are looking forward to continuing to build this partnership with India, and we’re looking forward to that as a Government – it’s not just me,” Anand said according to reports from Canada.
Anand spoke with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar over the phone on May 25th.
“Thank you Minister Dr Jaishankar for the productive discussion on strengthening Canada–India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. I look forward to continuing our work together,” Anand said after the phone call.
India and Canada will have to begin with restoring diplomatic ties and reappointing a High Commissioner in their respective missions.
It may be recalled that India-Canada ties suffered a major blow in September 2023, when then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged of Indian government’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Nijjar. India denied the allegation. Subsequently, diplomatic missions were downsized, visa services were impacted.
Twenty months after the strain in diplomatic ties, India and Canada’s ambassador-level posts in each other’s country are still vacant