Mackay admitted to recent tensions but drew encouragement from the leadership and vision exhibited by the business community….reports Asian Lite News
In the face of recent tensions, Canada’s High Commissioner to India, Cameron Mackay, emphasized the enduring alignment of strategic interests between the two nations.
Speaking at a seminar during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, he said this annual gathering of investors was a “great platform to reassert our business to business and people to people ties,” news agency PTI reported.
Acknowledging the strains that surfaced following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations last year, particularly concerning India’s alleged involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Mackay remained optimistic. India had vehemently denied the accusations.
Addressing the audience, Mackay admitted to recent tensions but drew encouragement from the leadership and vision exhibited by the business community. He advocated for the continued trade and investment relationship, emphasizing its potential to fuel job creation, foster technology partnerships, and promote prosperity in both nations.
Mackay urged governments and business communities on both sides to allow diplomatic processes to unfold while reinforcing the notion that Canada’s strategic interests align seamlessly with those of India in the long term. He urged a focus on fostering amicable business ties, promoting collaboration to restore friendliness between nations.
Highlighting the resilience of business relations, Mackay noted that over 100 Indian companies had invested in Canada, and more than 600 Canadian companies were operating in India. During his visit to Gujarat, he toured the McCain plant, underscoring the tangible investments and collaborations between the two nations.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan and Canada, Ajay Bisaria, shared Mackay’s optimism, characterizing the political tensions as a temporary phase. He emphasized that despite glitches in the political relationship, the business ties between India and Canada were proceeding unaffected. The top leadership of both nations, he affirmed, was committed to ensuring that political issues did not impede the thriving business relationship.