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Canada has revealed its decision to delay an October trade mission to India, as reported by Al Jazeera.
On Friday, a representative for Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng verified this alteration, but no explanation was provided for the postponement.
In her statement, spokesperson Shanti Cosentino remarked, 'We are currently delaying the impending trade mission to India.'
This development coincides with a period during which negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and Canada have come to a standstill, as disclosed by sources on Friday.
The sources attributed the suspension of negotiations to "specific political events" transpiring in Canada and noted that discussions would recommence once both governments resolve these issues.
Previously, there were reports suggesting that the two nations might potentially reach an interim trade agreement by the year's end.
In May, Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng and her Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal, issued a joint statement expressing their aspirations to enhance trade and investment between their respective countries before the end of the year.
However, these negotiations have encountered significant obstacles at a high level, according to Al Jazeera.
During an informal conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "serious concerns" regarding ongoing "anti-India activities" involving extremist elements in Canada.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the two nations in addressing these threats.
An official statement following the Modi-Trudeau meeting expressed, "The Prime Minister conveyed our serious apprehensions regarding the persistent actions of extremist groups in Canada that are actively promoting secessionism, inciting violence against Indian diplomats, causing damage to diplomatic facilities, and posing threats to the Indian community in Canada, as well as their places of worship."
During Trudeau's visit to India for the G20 Summit, individuals advocating Khalistani secessionism conducted what they termed a 'referendum' in Surrey, British Columbia.
These separatists employed offensive language directed towards Indian leadership and made statements challenging the territorial integrity of India.
Australia Today reported that extremist individuals with Khalistan referendum posters vandalized a Hindu temple in Canada recently.
This incident occurred in the province of British Columbia, Canada.
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