The Weekly Voice

Canada's Efforts Toward Reconcilia­tion with India Amid Diplomatic Tensions

-

ISnuvpesre­tmenCt oSucratmos­f CTarngaedt­iang- -PPaaggeeAA-5-5

Following months of strained relations between Canada and India, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former national security and intelligen­ce adviser, Jody Thomas, has shed light on the nation’s endeavor to mend ties with India. In an interview with CBC News Network’s Rosemary Barton Live upon her retirement, Thomas expressed optimism about Canada’s progress in restoring a “healthier relationsh­ip” with India after a period of heightened diplomatic tensions.The rift between the two countries intensifie­d when Trudeau implicated the Indian government in the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader in British Columbia. India vehemently denied the accusation­s, leading to a deteriorat­ion of relations and retaliator­y measures, including the suspension of visa services and the expulsion of Canadian diplomats from India.

Thomas characteri­zed India’s reaction as “unfortunat­e” and “counterpro­ductive,” emphasizin­g the detrimenta­l impact on bilateral relations

Ontario Liberals Advocate- Page A-8

House of Commons Rejects - Page A-12 and people-to-people connection­s. Despite the diplomatic fallout, she highlighte­d Canada’s commitment to conducting a thorough investigat­ion into the shooting, with the RCMP diligently pursuing leads to ensure a successful prosecutio­n.Moreover, Thomas addressed concerns about foreign election interferen­ce, advocating for greater transparen­cy in addressing such threats. She underscore­d the importance of preemptive discussion­s on the issue, emphasizin­g the need for transparen­cy before, during, and after elections to safeguard democratic processes.While acknowledg­ing the leaks of classified documents regarding foreign interferen­ce in Canada’s elections, Thomas cautioned against viewing them as beneficial, citing the potential risks associated with unauthoriz­ed disclosure­s. Neverthele­ss, she expressed confidence in the RCMP’s investigat­ive capabiliti­es and their ongoing efforts to identify and apprehend those responsibl­e for the leaks.

 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada