In the midst of strained diplomatic ties between India and Canada, a prominent Indian minister engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation in critical mineral mining, as confirmed by the Indian government on Monday.
India's Minister of Coal and Mines, Pralhad Joshi, held talks with Ranj Pillai, the premier of Canada's Yukon Territory, with a mutual commitment to strengthening the supply chain of vital minerals, as stated by the government.
While the official statement did not specify the particular critical minerals under discussion, it highlighted that Yukon's primary mineral resources encompass lead, zinc, silver, gold, asbestos, iron, and copper.
This visit by the premier of a Canadian province occurred against the backdrop of strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The discussions took place a day prior to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement of credible allegations linking India to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh independence advocate fatally shot on June 18 outside a Sikh cultural center in Surrey, British Columbia. Canada subsequently expelled a senior Indian diplomat, with India dismissing the allegations as "absurd."
Previously, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conveyed significant concerns about Sikh protests in Canada to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during their meeting on the sidelines of a G20 summit in New Delhi earlier in the month. India also expressed apprehensions to Canadian authorities regarding a rally staged by Khalistani separatists on July 8.
In response, Canada paused discussions on a proposed trade treaty with India, and Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng postponed a planned trade mission to India.