WINNIPEG: The controversy after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks on the farmers’ agitation in India is refusing to die down. He has sparked the controversy by saying that Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protests. He has expressed concern over the situation and India has criticized his statement as an interference in its internal affairs.
Experts believe that Trudeau’s remarks could damage the India-Canada relationship, and especially the trade ties. As Indo-Canadian businessmen, we are trying to pacify the situation. I have been pushing for strong trade relations for decades as I believe India and Canada together can achieve great heights in trade.
I appreciate the concern of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Indian farmers. But being a Canadian taxpayer who has worked on promoting the trade relationship between the two countries for four decades, my humble request to our honourable PM is to concentrate on the present situation in Canada. The second wave of Covid-19 is on us, and there is a lockdown situation in the country and people are worried. We should be concentrating more on Canada, instead of India. This country’s citizens want to know when the Covid-19 vaccine would be rolled out, and about the preparedness of the government to tackle the Covid-19 impact.
If you really want to care for India and want to express concern, then my humble request is to concentrate on the Canada-India trade. Lots of time and efforts have been put in it by many in making this relationship solid. Over the years, lots of individuals and associations across Canada and India, governments, trade commissioner services, have put in time and energy to nurture this relationship. Canadian taxpayers’ money has been invested on this. So let’s solidify this relationship.
Since India has surplus trade with Canada, we need more exports from Canada to India. We need to focus on such aspects and also take steps in clearing the hurdles, if any, in order to make trading ease. If we create more exports, then there will be more jobs in the country and it will make Canada a more powerful country.
Being a proud Indo-Canadian residing in Canada, I am blessed with two mothers: India is my matrabhoomi and Canada is my karmbhoomi just like Lord Krishna had two mothers. I hope both countries work together closely in trade promotion so that current circumstance could never arise.
I am very sure India will solve the issues related to the farm Bills.
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