Volume 18                Issue #10         October 2024

Stay Strong and United to Build the Future of Canada-India Relations

Hello friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I address you during these challenging times. Canada and India are currently going through a most serious crisis. This has been a terribly upsetting situation for the Indo Canadian community. Canada India Foundation has been in the forefront of outreach and initiatives aimed creating a strong and rewarding bilateral relationship between our two countries. And since the time of its inception, we have had several challenges put in our way. We have weathered these roadblocks with the strong conviction that good relations between Canada and India will be beneficial for Canadians as well as Indians. Today, we are going through some of the toughest times as far as the relationship is concerned, and there is an atmosphere of confusion and mistrust.

Unfortunately, this is not the backdrop we wanted to hold our most important event – the CIF Global Indian Award 2024. However disappointing it is, as some of you know, we have announced a postponement. Keep in mind, it is only a postponement, and not a cancellation. Obviously, we remain hopeful that issues will be sorted between our two mature and democratic nations in the interest of its people at a later date. This decision was not made lightly, but given the circumstances, it was necessary.

Extremist elements are apparently guiding the agenda and dominate the Canada-India narrative. These forces threaten to undo decades of trust and cooperation that Canadians and Indians have built together. The peace-loving Indo-Canadian community, which has significantly contributed to Canada’s prosperity, is now unfairly targeted, bullied by extremists for being perceived as aligned with India, when in truth our chief priority is the well-being of Canada, our home.

For some time now, a minority with extreme views has been deliberately attempting to create discord and suspicion within the large Indo Canadian community by indulging in targeted violence and propaganda. Immediate action is needed to protect the rights and safety of the Indo-Canadian community, ensuring that divisive forces do not undermine the unity and values that define Canada.

If allowed to continue unchecked, there is a strong likelihood of long-term damage to the relationship. Tarnishing Brand Canada in India and Brand India in Canada will have significant economic, social, and cultural repercussions. Numerous windows of opportunities that are open today to each other may gradually close, impacting and diminishing the vast productive engagements we enjoy.

Canada and India must work together to combat extremism and ensure that rights are exercised with responsibility and accountability. When Canada gives space to extremism, it risks harming not only its international reputation but also the long-term peace and harmony within its local communities. Similarly, India, although it has claimed non-involvement so far, must refrain from any actions on foreign soil that could exacerbate tensions. Protecting the sovereignty of both nations is paramount, but this must be built on mutual trust and sincere partnership. Extremist voices on both sides must not be allowed to manipulate democratic freedoms into tools for division, and Canadian soil must not be used to challenge the sovereignty of any friendly country. (Read more)

The leadership team at the Ras-al-Khaimah Business Development zone (RAKEZ), led by its CEO, Ramy Jallad, were in Toronto recently, speaking on the opportunities in the latest growth hub in the UAE. Ras-Al-Khaimah, translated as the Top of the Tent in Arabic, is an Emirate that lies in the Northern part of the country, along the coast, with excellent port connectivity. Ras-Al-Khaimah, under the visionary leadership of its ruler, Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, is set to be the next example of an economic miracle, after Abu Dhabi and Dubai, having registered sustained economic growth over the past several years. And now they want the world to sit up and take note of the opportunities.

The event was hosted jointly by Canada India Foundation and the ICICI Bank Canada in Toronto on Oct 2, 2024. On behalf of their respective organizations, Ritesh Malik, Chair, CIF, and Vikash Sharma, President and CEO, ICICI Bank Canada welcomed the RAKEZ team to Toronto. (Read More)

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For those who are seeking answers to the current troubling state of affairs between Canada and India, below are two important interviews with two of the top envoys of each country, aired on Canada’s national channel, CTV. In the interest of fairness, and a comprehensive understanding of the reasons behind the row, we present the points of view of these two veteran diplomats.

Canadian High Commissioner Says India Refused to Cooperate

Canada’s Former High Commissioner to India, Cameron Mackay, in an interview with CTV said that sufficient information was shared with India for them to take action, and but they decided to “vilify Canada.” He added that the government of India has made a series of serious “errors” damaging Brand India. Watch below:

Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, issued the following statement following the recent events between Canada and India: “Canada is a country founded on the rule of law, and protecting our citizens is our top priority. In light of the statement by the RCMP today, we are taking further necessary steps to ensure the safety of Canadians.

“I understand the effects today’s events may have on Canadians doing business or investing in India, and the uncertainty that some may be feeling at this time. I want to reassure our business community that our government remains fully committed to supporting the well-established commercial ties between Canada and India. Our Trade Commissioner Service will continue to assist and provide resources to Canadian companies operating in India.

“Let me be clear: Canada stands firmly by its businesses. We will work closely with all Canadian enterprises engaged with India to ensure these important economic connections remain strong.

“However, we must consider our economic interests with the need to protect Canadians and uphold the rule of law. We will not tolerate any foreign government threatening, extorting, or harming Canadian citizens on our soil. We urge the government of India to respect the same principles of law and justice that guide our actions.



“The Government of Canada remains open to a dialogue with India and we look forward to continuing our valued relationship.” (Read more)

The Phase 1 Construction of the proposed new capital city of Andhra Pradesh got a boost when the international agencies agreed to long-term funding of this ambitious project. The decision was taken after N. Chandrababu Naidu was sworn-in as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh for the fourth time and announced that Amaravati will be continued as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. (Read more.)

India Plans “Necklace” of Smart Cities

World’s top technology leaders applauded India’s current efforts to become a leader in AI to serve the people of India as well as the world. Nvidia CEO characterized it as very important moment and said that Prime Minister Modi is “such an incredible student” and a tech enthusiast and noted that India is home to some of the world’s greatest computer scientists. watch below:

India registered record exports in the latest financial year 2023-24 at USD 778 billion. China, Russia, Iraq, UAE, and Singapore are among the countries where India’s exports have risen substantially. The other countries in the Top 10 list are the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and South Africa. (Read more.)

Chetan Handa

Co-convener

chetanhnd@gmail.com