Justin Trudeau assured that Canada was not trying to “provoke” India, but rather was calling on it to “participate” in the investigation into the killing of a Sikh leader in British Columbia, in which it could have involved the Indian government.

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“ […] “We are not trying to provoke or start disputes, but we will always be unequivocal about the legal principles and the values ​​that we represent,” the prime minister said in New York on Thursday at the conclusion of a United Nations conference.

The allegations made by Justin Trudeau in the House of Representatives on Monday hit the Indian government and the media. India has suspended visa processing for Canadians and discouraged travel to Canada due to “anti-India” activities.

Listen to the political meeting between Raphaël Pirro and Antoine Robitaille QUB radio :

Threats against Canadian government personnel in India even forced Ottawa to cut staff there.

Mr. Trudeau was careful not to say whether he planned to respond, fearing a rise in tensions with India, a country with which Canada wants to deepen ties.

The decision to release the allegations against India to the public based on “credible” information was not “taken lightly,” he said.

“We want the Indian government to take the time to work with us and work with Canada to investigate these allegations and ensure that justice is done,” he said repeatedly.

Quoted by the Wall Street JournalA member of the Indian government indicated that the country would be willing to cooperate with the investigation if Canada would reveal its evidence.

• Listen to Luc Lavoie’s analysis on Yasmine Abdelfadel’s microphone QUB radio :

“We will see” for economic relations

The fallout from this affair could spill over onto the diplomatic front and poison economic relations, as a Canadian mission to discuss free trade in Mumbai scheduled for October has already been postponed indefinitely.

Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne has still “not noticed any commercial impact” but was cautious about the future. “At the moment health and safety issues must take priority and then we will see how this can develop further.” […] ” he said at a press conference.

Photo agency QMI, RAPHAEL PIRRO

At the same time, Reuters reported that Indian steel giant JSW Steel was taking a step back in talks to buy shares in Canada’s Teck Resources, a first sign of a possible economic slowdown.

The President of the Ministry of Finance and former Defense Minister Anita Anand, of Indian origin, was nevertheless optimistic.

“We must recognize that there are relationships, very close ties between our two countries, between families, between companies, and I hope, I know, that these relationships will continue to be a reality.” […] “, she said.