India halts trade talks with Canada amidst Khalistani row

India has halted talks for a comprehensive free tre agreement (FTA) with Cana, which is t a crucial nation for country's commodities' requirement as bilateral merchandise tre between two countries was a mere $8 billion in FY23, with exports and imports almost balanced, two official stated.

Cana is also allowing its land to be used by subversive elements against India. However, since India's imports from country can be taken from any or more friendly country, national capital does t have to solely be dependent on Cana for crucial commodities.

Tre statistics between India and Cana

In 2022-2023, India exported merchandise worth $4.11 billion to Cana and imported goods, such as coal, fertiliser, pulses, pulp and aluminium worth $4.17 billion, as per official data.

India's exports to Cana fell year-on-year by 20 per cent to $1.24 billion in first four months of current financial (FY24). imports also contracted by 6.39 per cent in same period at $1.32 billion, as per official data.

As of w, India exports pharmaceuticals, iron products, telecom equipment, garments, marine products, auto components, iron and steel to Cana.

New Delhi suspends FTA with Cana

Recently, New Delhi suspended free-tre talks with Cana as Ottawa alleged that subversive elements were conducting anti-India activities on soil. development came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Canian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over anti-India elements promoting secessionism. 

Khalistani terrorist row

Meanwhile, Canian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hit out at India in connection with killing of wanted Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. dressing Canian Parliament, Trudeau stated that Indian government may have h links to assassination of a Sikh separatist in Cana. 

Following this, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday summoned  Canian High Commissioner to India, Cameron MacKay, and informed him about decision of government to expel a senior Canian diplomat based in India.