India's envoy to Canada spoke about the future of the two countries' relationship publicly on Tuesday for the first time since the RCMP made arrests related to a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
These remarks came as Canada and India have developed tensions following the killing of Sikh separatist activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in B.C., on June 18, 2023.
High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma addressed the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, where he said there are positives and negatives to Canada and India's relationship – though the good outweighs the bad.
While not directly naming Nijjar, he said a major strain on the relationship is what he called "the story" in the "media," implying Nijjar is a Canadian national who has nothing to do with India.
"So the foreigners having, if I can call it, [an] evil eye on the territorial integrity of India, that is a big red line for us. Indians will decide what will happen to India. Indians will decide the fate of India, not the foreigners," Verma said.
He noted, however, that Canada and India's trade relationship is extremely positive.
Last fall, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of playing a role in Nijjar's killing, and the RCMP arrested three Indian nationals last Friday in connection with the case.
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