Canadian political commentator calls for balanced action on Khalistanis to strengthen New Delhi-Ottawa ties
Canadian political commentator and podcaster Josh Udall believes that addressing concerns related to pro-Khalistani extremism in Canada could be a key step toward improving bilateral and trade relations between India and Canada, reports 24brussels.
Speaking ahead of Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s visit to India, Udall stated that constructive actions addressing this issue could help build trust, strengthen cooperation, and unlock economic opportunities for both countries. He stressed that the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, should take India’s security and sovereignty concerns seriously to foster a more stable and forward-looking partnership.
Udall highlighted the prevalence of various extremist groups in Canada, noting, “We’re seeing not just the issue of Khalistani extremists in our country, but a wide variety of extremists across Canada.” He critiqued the Canadian government’s selective approach toward hate, which overlooks certain extremisms and has led to heightened tensions in relations with India, where concerns over anti-India activities by extremist elements are frequently raised.
“The point of contention between India and Canada is Khalistani extremism,” Udall remarked, adding, “India wants something to be done about the Khalistan issue, but our government has no interest in actually addressing it.” However, he acknowledged India’s openness to expanding cooperation in areas such as minerals, energy, and trade, which present significant opportunities for both nations. Udall urged Ottawa to “cash in on this opportunity” to reset ties and foster mutually beneficial growth.
During her visit to New Delhi, Minister Anita Anand will meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal as both sides work toward establishing a framework for strategic cooperation on trade diversification, energy transition, and security. Anand will also travel to Mumbai to engage with firms from both countries focused on investment, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.
Despite high expectations for trade enhancement amid rising U.S. tariffs, Udall noted that Canada has yet to fully capitalise on opportunities with India. “You’d hope they would take advantage of it. Strengthening trade ties with India would help everyone,” he stated. While critical of the current slow pace of progress, Udall expressed cautious optimism that continued dialogue could yield positive outcomes.
“As a Canadian, I remain hopeful. These conversations are important. Even if we’re not seeing results yet, keeping the diplomatic channels open is the first step toward something meaningful,” he added. Udall’s comments underscore both the challenges and opportunities in India-Canada relations. As both countries engage at the highest levels, Anand’s visit may represent a pivotal moment for rebuilding trust, revitalising cooperation, and shaping a balanced partnership.
According to an official statement from the Government of Canada, India and Canada have maintained over 75 years of diplomatic relations, characterised by close cooperation and vibrant people-to-people connections. As India is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2025, Canada is committed to expanding its commercial links, especially in agriculture, critical minerals, and energy. In 2024, India ranked as Canada’s seventh-largest goods and services trading partner, with two-way trade reaching $33.9 billion, including $5.3 billion in Canadian merchandise exports to India.
