Indian law enforcement officials collaborating with Canada, confirms foreign affairs minister
Anita Anand says Canada taking ‘step-by-step' approach to restoring ties with India
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed that Indian law enforcement officials are actively collaborating with Canada as the two countries continue to thaw a once-icy relationship following allegations that Indian agents were linked to an extrajudicial killing on Canadian soil.
During an interview on Rosemary Barton Live that airs Sunday morning, Anand said Canadian government representatives were in India this week "to ensure we have that law enforcement dialogue proceeding."
When asked whether Indian law enforcement officials are actively collaborating with Canada, Anand said "yes."
"I will also say that we put on the table the step-by-step approach," Anand told host Rosemary Barton. "We will have a conversation when I'm in India about what are the next steps in the diplomatic relationship."
The minister's comments echo those of National Security and Intelligence Adviser Nathalie Drouin, who was one of the Canadian officials in India this week.
In a rare scrum with reporters Thursday, Drouin said Canada got a commitment from the Indian government it would do more to collaborate with Canadian police in their investigation into the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
"[India] realized that, and the same on our side, by sharing information we will have safer streets in Canada," Drouin said.
"I think we have found a way, as I said, to address mutual concerns and for leaders to be able to talk about the trade relationship," Drouin added.
In recent months, Canada and India have begun to thaw their relationship after it was plunged into turmoil when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood in the House of Commons and accused the Indian government of being involved in Nijjar's killing.
At the time, Trudeau said Canada's national security apparatus had reason to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and supporter of a Sikh homeland in the form of an independent Khalistani state.
Both countries later pulled their high commissioners and five other diplomats and dialed back consular and trade services in a tit-for-tat protest.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has worked to renew those diplomatic ties. On Wednesday, India's new High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik officially started his job after presenting his credentials to Gov. Gen. Mary Simons.
The two countries have also promised to work on reinstating visa services.
The 'One India' Policy
On Thursday, Drouin said the Indian government wants Canada "to be very clear in terms of the 'One India' [policy]" and respect "the integrity of their territory."
Anand was asked by Barton whether Canada is willing to reaffirm the policy to India. In response, the foreign affairs minister said "we're concerned with what is best for Canada."
"This is a dialogue that is continuing and I will say we have made progress in terms of seeing each other's point of view, but also our position is always to protect Canadian interests," Anand added.
Last week, India-based media portrayed meetings between Canada's deputy minister in the Global Affairs department, David Morrison, and Indian officials like Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri as a first step toward the restart of trade talks.
A statement from the Indian government said the two sides "agreed to initiate necessary steps to reactivate bilateral dialogue mechanisms" on topics like trade, defence, energy, civil nuclear and critical minerals, as well as security and law enforcement.
But in response to a request for confirmation or clarification from CBC News, the Canadian government emphasized different priorities out of last week's meetings.
"While trade was discussed, the Government of Canada, under its new mandate, has not held talks with India around negotiations on a free trade agreement," Global Affairs Canada wrote in an emailed statement last Sunday.
"The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting and growing the well-established commercial trade ties between Canada and India."
As Canada scopes out where to go next with its relationship with India, Anand said it is being "cautious and we will take this systematically."
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With files from Sarina Mohan, Janyce McGregor