Prime Minister Modi had dismissed Justin Trudea over the Khalistani issue in Canada on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
Ottawa:
Canada’s Trade Minister Mary Ng is postponing a trade mission to India scheduled for October, an official said Friday. This reflects increasingly tense diplomatic ties, just days after the Indian prime minister berated his Canadian counterpart at a G20 summit in New Delhi.
“At this time we are postponing the upcoming trade mission to India,” said Shanti Cosentino, spokesperson for the minister, without giving a reason.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held formal bilateral meetings with many world leaders during the G20 summit, snubbed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and allowed only a brief, informal meeting on the sidelines five days ago.
Canada has the largest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab in India, and the country has been the scene of many protests that have irked India.
“They promote secessionism and incite violence against Indian diplomats, damage diplomatic buildings and threaten the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship,” the Indian government said after the leaders met.
Earlier on Friday, India said it had suspended trade talks with Canada. Canada made a similar announcement earlier this month, saying such a pause was necessary to “take stock.”
Just four months ago, the two countries said they wanted to reach a first trade deal this year.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
