Looking to rebuild ties with Canada: India

India has raised concerns over extremist anti-India activities with the US and New Zealand, while expressing hope that ties with Canada can be restored through mutual trust.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to questions at a media briefing, said, “The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the licence given to extremist and secessionist elements in that country. Our hope is that we can rebuild our ties based on mutual trust.”

Jaiswal was asked whether there had been any positive signals from Canada following the formation of the new government led by Mark Carney.

India slams Pak for hosting fugitive Zakir Naik

New Delhi: The presence of fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in Pakistan has dealt a further blow to its already-strained ties with India as the latter said the development showed the “approach the hosts have to a man wanted here”. Wanted on charges of laundering and inciting terrorism, Naik recently met Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in Raiwind. New Delhi also said the biggest roadblock to South Asia’s peace and security was Islamabad’s sponsorship of terrorism. TNS

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On a separate question regarding Tulsi Gabbard’s meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Jaiswal stated, “We conveyed our concerns regarding anti-India elements and the activities of secessionist groups in Washington. It is our expectation that the US side will take appropriate action in this regard.”

India has also raised similar concerns with New Zealand. During the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Jaiswal said, “We made it very clear that we conveyed our concerns about anti-India activities in New Zealand. We hope to receive support from the New Zealand side in addressing these issues, which are of concern to us.”

Working to cut trade barriers with US: MEA

New Delhi: With less than two weeks to go for the Donald Trump-imposed reciprocal tariffs to kick in, India has said it was working to take forward the trade negotiations with the US. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the two governments were “actively working to build a framework for the trade pact”. TNS