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Indian Diaspora Bolsters New Delhi-Ottawa Ties: Jitendra Singh

The minister highlighted that the diaspora serves as a link between the two nations, particularly emphasizing Canada’s popularity as a preferred destination for Indian students seeking higher education….reports Asian Lite News

Twenty-three lakh Indian diaspora are reinforcing New Delhi-Ottawa relations and contributing to the development of both nations, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said as he met a high-level delegation on Wednesday.

Singh told Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan province who was leading the delegation, that the presence of the Indian diaspora in the Canadian Parliament and the cabinet is a testimony of longstanding relations between the two countries.

Acknowledging the positive contributions made by the Indian community, the minister said they act as a bridge between the two nations as Canada is one of the most favoured destinations for Indian students for higher education.

Singh also mentioned PM Narendra Modi’s invitation to India’s diaspora to do research in India’s premier institutions and contribute to its progress under the VAIBHAV fellowship programme.

Cooperation and collaboration in areas like Electric Vehicles, Cyber Physical System, Quantum Technologies, Future Manufacturing, Green Hydrogen Fuel, Deep Ocean Mining etc were also discussed, a Ministry of Science & technology release stated.

He told the delegation that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India established the ‘Anusandhan’ National Research Foundation.

The foundation prioritises research in areas of technology and science to foster and revitalise the innovation ecosystem with around 60-70 per cent participation of the private sector.

He also emphasised that the government is keen on opening arms to welcome non-governmental organisations to contribute to technology development and support them.

The meeting comes as India is keen to develop research collaborations with Canadian R&D institutions and technology collaborations with Canadian industries.

Speaking of Canada and India relations, Moe said it has made great strides in recent years and has become truly multidimensional, spurred by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill, and exchanges.

He said the relationship has grown between India and Saskatchewan, especially after opening their office in Delhi, and strengthens their resolve to work with India and achieve collective growth.

After arriving in New Delhi on Tuesday, Moe met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who praised the Indians in Canada for serving as a bridge between the two nations.

“Appreciate @PremierScottMoe’s strong support for our partnership and looking forward to deepening our cooperation,” Jaishankar said as he also shared a picture of the two leaders shaking hands.

“An important supplier of potash, lentils, and uranium. Saskatchewan’s Indian-origin community has truly been a bridge between us,” he added.

Saskatchewan is home to 15,660 Indians, according to the 2021 census, and from 2016 to 2021, immigrants from India made up 18.4 per cent of total immigrants moving into the province.

The province’s exports to India stand at more than $1 billion and roughly make up a third of Canada’s total exports to the country. In addition, the province also has a trade and investment office in New Delhi.

ALSO READ: India, Canada Discuss ‘Present State’ of Ties in Munich

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India, Canada Discuss ‘Present State’ of Ties in Munich

Recently, Canada named India as a “foreign threat” that could potentially interfere in their elections, months after they accused New Delhi of playing a role in Nijjar’s killing.

 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday and discussed bilateral ties.

The discussions came amid an ongoing diplomatic row between the two nations with Canada accusing India of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey last year and the latter denying the charge as “absurd” and “motivated”.

“Our conversation understandably focused on the present state of our bilateral ties. Was also useful to exchange views on the global situation,” Jaishankar wrote on X.

Recently, Canada named India as a “foreign threat” that could potentially interfere in their elections, months after they accused New Delhi of playing a role in Nijjar’s killing.

India categorically denied the allegation and asserted that the “core issue” with Canada is the space it gives to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements on its soil.

Earlier, the External Affairs Minister met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and held a “wide-ranging conversation on global challenges and the pathway ahead”.

The two leaders also reviewed preparations for the next India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations meeting.

He also met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the conference to discuss maritime security in the Red Sea.

“Secretary Blinken highlighted that the respective US and Indian approaches to maritime security in the Red Sea are mutually reinforcing and play important roles in safeguarding economic stability in the region,” US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement released on Friday.

Miller added that the two leaders also discussed ongoing work to ensure lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

The 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC), which began on Friday, is currently underway at Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich.

This year’s conference is being held under the chairmanship of the German Ambassador to the US, Christoph Heusgen.

ALSO READ: Jaishankar Delves into Diplomacy at Munich

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Immigrants increasingly leaving Canada for “greener pastures”

The study revealed that approximately 17.5 per cent of immigrants who arrived during this period eventually opted to emigrate within 20 years…reports Asian Lite News

As per the recent study conducted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and the Conference Board of Canada, immigrants are increasingly departing from Canada in pursuit of “greener pastures,” sparking concerns in the Great White North, Khalsa Vox reported.

According to the study’s findings, the research has sparked concerns with its findings. The study revealed that approximately 17.5 per cent of immigrants who arrived during this period eventually opted to emigrate within 20 years, Khalsa Vox reported. The statistics call it “vital” to recognise that emigration rates have been steadily increasing since the 1980s.

According to the study, certain rise in outward migration exceeds the historical average by 31 per cent. These statistics have gathered the attention of people. Although 17.5 per cent might demonstrate a notable percentage of immigrants leaving.

The statistics also showcase that a significant majority opt to stay in Canada. The reasons responsible for emigration are multifaceted and unique to circumstances related to a person, according to the Khalsa Vox report.

The main factors that contribute to the decision include challenges with integration, employment opportunities, and affordability. Increasing crimes and gang wars have also played a significant part in causing fear in the minds of local residents and adding another layer to the complex issue of immigration and emigration in Canada.

The study has not mentioned the destinations of these emigrants, making it difficult to assess whether they are truly leaving for “better” situations in other places, Khalsa Vox reported.

The findings of the study call for contemplation of Canada’s approach to immigration. The study raises important questions about integration support, employment opportunities, and policies that might influence people to not leave Canada.

As per the news report, further research is needed to understand the specific motivations responsible for emigration. The research should have the goal of finding areas where Canada’s immigration system can be improved to better address the needs and aspirations of immigrants. (ANI)

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Another Sikh separatist’s house hit by gunfire in Canada

While no injuries were reported, the Peel Regional police could not rule out that more shots were fired at the house….reports Asian Lite News

The house of a Sikh separatist, associated with pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is a designated terrorist in India, has been hit by gunfire in Canada’s Ontario province, a media report said.

The incident comes just days after multiple shots were fired at the Surrey home of Simranjeet Singh — a “friend” of banned Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia last year.

According to The Guardian, a bullet hole was found in the window of an unfinished house, belonging to Khalistan supporter Inderjit Singh Gosal, in Brampton on Monday.

While no injuries were reported, the Peel Regional police could not rule out that more shots were fired at the house.

But they confirmed that a single bullet hole had been found with Constable Tyler Bell-Morena of Peel Regional Police saying it is “too early” to link the shooting to Gosal’s role in the Khalistan movement.

Gosal recently announced that a pro-Khalistan rally would be held outside the Indian consulate in Toronto on February 17.

According to the report, Gosal works closely with Pannun, who is the chief legal counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice and was the target of a foiled assassination bid in the US.

The shooting incidents come just as India and Canada accused each other of interfering in their “internal affairs”.

Recently, Canada named India as a “foreign threat” that could potentially interfere in their elections, months after they accused New Delhi of playing a role in the killing Nijjar on Canadian soil in June last year.

India categorically denied the allegation levelled by Canadian agencies of “interference” as “absurd” and “motivated”.

Further, India said that it is Canada that has been interfering in India’s internal affairs. India has time and again asserted that the “core issue” with Canada is the space it gives to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements on its soil.

“It is not the government of India’s policy to interfere in democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

ALSO READ: Gunfire Strikes Home of Pro-Khalistan Activist in Canada’s Ontario

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Canadian charities struggle amid foreign students’ challenges

This comes even as the government has set out to cap new study permits for international students and cancelling work permits for their spouses….reports Asian Lite News

With international students struggling amidst worsening housing and affordability issues in Canada, charities and support groups say they are under strain and have urged the government to step up support.

With nearly 500,000 international students living in the Greater Toronto Area, Khalsa Aid’s national director Jindi Singh says charities are taking on more than their fair share of the load, Ottawa-based CBC news channel reported.

“We truly feel it’s not really our role,” Singh told the news outlet.

The Canadian branch of Khalsa Aid, helping over 8000 students struggling to access food, clothes, and shelter in cities across the country, says the government and post-secondary institutions should be doing more to support international students in need.

Jind said that the organisation has been presently receiving five calls a day from international students needing food, clothing, and shelter, especially from Brampton in Ontario province where he said that the situation is “acute”.

Since last June, Khalsa Aid has delivered over 5,000 grocery bags full of non-perishable food to students in this city, which attracts tens of thousands of international students annually.

The president of the College Student Alliance, Azi Afousi, told CBC that student unions across Ontario have reported fielding more calls about housing struggles, adding that one of her colleagues shares a house with 15 other people.

International students contribute about CA$22 billion ($16.4 billion) annually to the Canadian economy and pay four times more tuition than domestic students.

According to a September 2023 report by consulting firm Higher Education Strategy Associates, students from India alone contributed $2 billion to Ontario’s post-secondary institutions’ operating income last year, compared to roughly $1.8 billion the provincial government contributed.

“For colleges and governments to not provide wrap-around services like housing, food, and job referrals, is a “pure money grab,” Singh told CBC.

This comes even as the government has set out to cap new study permits for international students and cancelling work permits for their spouses.

However, Deepa Mattoo of Sukhmani Haven says that the cap doesn’t do anything to help the students who are already in Canada and are struggling.

While they welcomed the study permit cap, both Mattoo and Singh urged the government to put in place more support for international students who are already there in the country.

The number of international students in Canada crossed one million mark, with Indians leading the pack, accounting for 215,190 out of the 579,075 permits issued till November 2023.

In addition to the two-year study permit cap, the Canadian government also announced that it will more than double the cost-of-living financial requirement for incoming international students on January 1, 2024.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller said a single applicant will need to show they have 20,635 Canadian dollars ($15,181) in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs.

Earlier, Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has blamed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for making a ‘mess’ of the country’s immigration system.

He said that immigrants, international students, and temporary foreign workers are not to be blamed for Trudeau’s “incompetence”.

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Gunfire Strikes Home of Pro-Khalistan Activist in Canada’s Ontario

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has threatened the shutdown of Delhi's IGI Airport on November 19, the day on which the final of the ongoing cricket World Cup will be played in Ahmedabad.(IANS/Video Grab)

According to The Guardian, a bullet hole was found in the window of an unfinished house, belonging to Khalistan supporter Inderjit Singh Gosal, in Brampton on Monday…reports Asian Lite News

The house of a Sikh separatist, associated with pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is a designated terrorist in India, has been hit by gunfire in Canada’s Ontario province, a media report said.

The incident comes just days after multiple shots were fired at the Surrey home of Simranjeet Singh — a “friend” of banned Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia last year.

According to The Guardian, a bullet hole was found in the window of an unfinished house, belonging to Khalistan supporter Inderjit Singh Gosal, in Brampton on Monday.

While no injuries were reported, the Peel Regional police could not rule out that more shots were fired at the house.

But they confirmed that a single bullet hole had been found with Constable Tyler Bell-Morena of Peel Regional Police saying it is “too early” to link the shooting to Gosal’s role in the Khalistan movement.

Gosal recently announced that a pro-Khalistan rally would be held outside the Indian consulate in Toronto on February 17.

According to the report, Gosal works closely with Pannun, who is the chief legal counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice and was the target of a foiled assassination bid in the US.

The shooting incidents come just as India and Canada accused each other of interfering in their “internal affairs”.

Recently, Canada named India as a “foreign threat” that could potentially interfere in their elections, months after they accused New Delhi of playing a role in the killing Nijjar on Canadian soil in June last year.

India categorically denied the allegation levelled by Canadian agencies of “interference” as “absurd” and “motivated”.

Further, India said that it is Canada that has been interfering in India’s internal affairs. India has time and again asserted that the “core issue” with Canada is the space it gives to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements on its soil.

“It is not the government of India’s policy to interfere in democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

ALSO READ-US Withholds Discovery Material from Nikhil Gupta in Pannun Case

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Canadian parliamentarian to hold Sindhi Roundtable  

Jeremy Patzer Official Portrait / Portrait Officiel Ottawa, ONTARIO, Canada on 21 November, 2019. © HOC-CDC Credit: Mélanie Provencher, House of Commons Photo Services

In the recent past, the Sindhi language has also been facing multiple challenges in its land of origin, Sindh, in Pakistan, and the diaspora….reports Asian Lite News

Canadian lawmaker Jeremy Patzer will host the ‘Sindhi Roundtable’ in the Canadian Parliament on February 27, the Sindhi Foundation said in an official statement, adding that the event is aimed at promoting the Sindhi language.

As per the statement, the event will be organised on International Mother Language Day during the parliament session between 11 am and 1 pm (local time).

“This year, Patzer will host an event in the Parliament of Canada. Although International Mother Language Day is celebrated on February 21st each year, since the Canadian Parliament session will start in the following week, the Members of Parliament and Sindhi Community scheduled February 27th for an open discussion to strengthen the relationship of Canada and the Sindhis in Sindh (in Pakistan), as well as the diaspora. Language is the foundation and most prominent part of any culture,” the statement read.

According to the United Nations, “Every two weeks, a language disappears, taking with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage. At least 43 per cent of the estimated 6,000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. Only a few hundred languages have genuinely been given a place in education systems and the public domain, and less than a hundred are used in the digital world”.

International Mother Language Day is observed every year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

In the recent past, the Sindhi language has also been facing multiple challenges in its land of origin, Sindh, in Pakistan, and the diaspora.

Hence, the Sindhi Foundation persistently celebrates International Mother Language Day every year, the release informed, adding that other than language promotion, the event scheduled to be held on February 27 at the Canadian Parliament will help build strong relationships between Sindhis and Canadians.

“Time has come for the Canadian Consulate in Karachi and the High Commission in Islamabad to recognise the Sindhi language and provide services to Sindhis in their own native language,” Sufi Laghari, executive director of the Sindhi Foundation, was quoted as saying in the release.

“Time has come that the Canadian Consulate in Karachi and the High Commission in Islamabad must recognize the Sindhi language and provide services to Sindhis in their own native language,” Laghari added.

International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in November 1999.

The idea to celebrate mother tongue was carried forward at the initiative of Bangladesh. And, the UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation on the day of its resolution in 2002. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India Denies Allegations, Accuses Canada of Interference

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India Denies Allegations, Accuses Canada of Interference

India, Canada flag

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that India continues to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns….reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday rejected what it termed were the “baseless allegations” of Indian interference in Canadian elections, adding that it is Canada, who is interfering in our internal affairs.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while addressing the weekly press briefing on Thursday said that they have seen the media reports of the Canadian Commission inquiring into foreign interferences.

“We strongly reject such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections, it is not govt of India’s policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries, in fact, quite on the reverse it is Canada, which has been interfering in our internal affairs,” he said.

Jaiswal further emphasised that India continues to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns.

“We have been raising this issue regularly with them, we continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns,” he stated.

As reported earlier, Canada’s federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference was looking to examine alleged meddling by India in the country’s last two general elections, Canada-based CTV News reported.

The commission, in a statement, said it has asked the federal government to produce documentation related to these allegations.

The statement signals the commission’s intention to probe any role India might have played in influencing the two ballots, as per CTV News.

The commission’s initial hearings will look at the challenges and limitations of disclosing classified national security information and intelligence to the public.

According to CTV News, an interim report from the commission is due on May 3, with a final report expected by the end of the year. (ANI)

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Canada to sanction ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers, Hamas leaders

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly.(photo:wikipedia)

Melanie Joly said Canada remained dedicated to finding a way to end the fighting and work towards finding a long-term solution….reports Asian Lite News

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has said that Canada will impose sanctions on “extremist” Israeli settlers in the Palestinian territories and Hamas leaders, Canada-based CBC News reported.

In an interview on Rosemary Barton Live, Joly said the government was “actively working on it” on the decision while she was on a visit to Ukraine, where she held meetings with Ukrainian officials and visited sites impacted by the ongoing war.

Speaking to CBC chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, Joly said, “We will be sanctioning extremist settlers and we will also bring new sanctions on Hamas leaders.

She said, “I’m making sure that while I’m in Ukraine, the work is being done in Ottawa and I look forward to doing announcements soon.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that Canada was considering the option of imposed restrictions on some Israelis living in illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Speaking to reporters after an event in Ontario’s Waterloo, Trudeau said, “Settler violence in the West Bank is absolutely unacceptable and puts at risk peace [and] stability in the region, and the path toward the two-state solution that is absolutely essential,” CBC News reported.

Melanie Joly said Canada remained dedicated to finding a way to end the fighting and work towards finding a long-term solution. She stressed that they need to ensure that Hamas lays down its arms and termed it the first step to getting on a path to have a longer truce.

She said, “First and foremost, we need to get the hostage deal. Hostages need to get back and be released. We need more humanitarian aid in Gaza,” CBC News reported.

Joly stated, “And we need to make sure that Hamas lays down its arms. And this is the first step to make sure that eventually we get to a path where we can have a longer truce, a sustainable ceasefire and eventually much more a path towards a two-state solution.”

Melanie Joly noted that both sides needed to make changes in their approach to make long-term peace possible. She said, “We need a reformed Palestinian Authority. We need also to have a government in Israel that is willing to do the important work to get to this two-state solution.”

Canada’s decision comes after the US last week announced a second round of sanctions against four individuals it accused of inciting and conducting violence against Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the West Bank.

In a statement, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, “Since October 7, the United States has issued five rounds of sanctions against Hamas, including the most recent round of sanctions against Hamas last week. President Biden has also spoken about his concern about the rise in violence that we have seen in the West Bank from extremist actors, in particular the rise in extremist settler violence, which reached record levels in 2023. “

“This violence poses a grave threat to peace, security and stability in the West Bank, Israel and the Middle East region, and threatens the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States,” he added.

Violence in the Palestinian territories has witnessed a rise since the war started between Israel and Hamas. The war between Israel and Hamas began after the latter launched an attack on the former on October 7, where around 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 250 taken hostage.

According to CBC News report, Palestinian health officials said that more than 26,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Palestine since October 7. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Nijjar’s Friend’s Home Attacked in Canada

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Nijjar’s Friend’s Home Attacked in Canada

No injuries were reported in the incident…reports Asian Lite News

Gunshots were fired at the house of a Sikh activist related to pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in the Canadian province of British Columbia last year.

No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred just after 1.:20 am on Thursday at a South Surrey home located near the 2800 block of 154 Street, the Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said.

Moninder Singh, a spokesperson for the B.C. Gurdwaras Council identified the house owner as Simranjeet Singh, a friend of Nijjar, the CBC news channel reported.

He added that the overnight attack nearly claimed the life of Simranjeet’s six-year-old child.

According to CBC, a car was heavily damaged in gunfire, and there were multiple bullet holes in the house itself.

Investigators with the Surrey RCMP’s Major Crime Section “believe this was an isolated incident” but did not confirm how many shots were fired into the home.

Corporal Sarbjit Sangha said officers have spoken to the neighbours and witnesses, and are currently reviewing CCTV footage to find out more about the shooting.

“The investigation is in, still, very early stages so the motive of this shooting has not been determined as of this time,” Sangha told CBC News.

Moninder told the news channel that community members believe Simranjeet’s links with Nijjar might have played a part in the shooting.

He added that the shooting came just days after Simranjeet helped organise a pro-Khalistan protest at the Indian consulate in Vancouver on January 26.

According to Moninder, Simranjeet was in touch with the RCMP to report being followed after protests and fears for his life. He also said the shooting would not deter Simranjeet’s activism for a separate Sikh state.

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