NEW DELHI: Canada’s high commissioner to India Cameron Mackay expressed optimism about the strong alignment of strategic interests between India and Canada, despite recent diplomatic tensions.
Speaking at a seminar on ‘India-Canada Business: The Way Forward’ at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Mackay emphasized the importance of the bilateral trade and investment relationship.He praised the annual gathering of investors as a platform to strengthen business and people-to-people ties.
While acknowledging the past tensions between the two countries, Mackay highlighted the leadership and vision of the business community present at the seminar. He urged both governments and the business community to focus on trade and investment, as it would support job creation, technology partnership, and mutual prosperity.
“In the past months it has been a time of some tensions between our two countries. It is no secret. But I am encouraged by leadership and vision of business community present here and outside the room to continue with trade and investment relationship which is in the interest of both of our countries,” Mackay said.
Mackay stressed that Canada’s strategic interest and India’s strategic interest were “absolutely aligned” in the long term. He urged everyone to let the governments handle diplomacy while fostering business-to-business ties to restore friendly relations.
“My advice to my government and that to the Indian government and business community on both sides is to let the governments do what they are doing, let the government do diplomacy but everyone knows that in the long term, Canada’s strategic interest and India’s strategic interest are absolutely aligned,” the high commissioner said.
The diplomatic row has not affected business relations between India and Canada, Mackay said, adding that over 100 Indian companies have invested in Canada, while more than 600 Canadian companies are present in India.
Mackay also mentioned visiting the McCain plant in Gujarat.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan and Canada, Ajay Bisaria, echoed Mackay’s sentiments, saying that the tensions between the two countries appeared to be a temporary phase. Bisaria emphasized that the top leadership of both countries has made it clear that political issues will not impact the business relationship.
Both Mackay and Bisaria expressed optimism about the future of India-Canada business ties, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and cooperation.
Ties between India and Canada plummeted after prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on his country’s soil.
India rejected these charges as “absurd”.
(With inputs from PTI)
Speaking at a seminar on ‘India-Canada Business: The Way Forward’ at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Mackay emphasized the importance of the bilateral trade and investment relationship.He praised the annual gathering of investors as a platform to strengthen business and people-to-people ties.
While acknowledging the past tensions between the two countries, Mackay highlighted the leadership and vision of the business community present at the seminar. He urged both governments and the business community to focus on trade and investment, as it would support job creation, technology partnership, and mutual prosperity.
“In the past months it has been a time of some tensions between our two countries. It is no secret. But I am encouraged by leadership and vision of business community present here and outside the room to continue with trade and investment relationship which is in the interest of both of our countries,” Mackay said.
Mackay stressed that Canada’s strategic interest and India’s strategic interest were “absolutely aligned” in the long term. He urged everyone to let the governments handle diplomacy while fostering business-to-business ties to restore friendly relations.
“My advice to my government and that to the Indian government and business community on both sides is to let the governments do what they are doing, let the government do diplomacy but everyone knows that in the long term, Canada’s strategic interest and India’s strategic interest are absolutely aligned,” the high commissioner said.
The diplomatic row has not affected business relations between India and Canada, Mackay said, adding that over 100 Indian companies have invested in Canada, while more than 600 Canadian companies are present in India.
Mackay also mentioned visiting the McCain plant in Gujarat.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan and Canada, Ajay Bisaria, echoed Mackay’s sentiments, saying that the tensions between the two countries appeared to be a temporary phase. Bisaria emphasized that the top leadership of both countries has made it clear that political issues will not impact the business relationship.
Both Mackay and Bisaria expressed optimism about the future of India-Canada business ties, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and cooperation.
Ties between India and Canada plummeted after prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on his country’s soil.
India rejected these charges as “absurd”.
(With inputs from PTI)
