Latest news with #BritishCommonwealth
Canada Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Canada Standard
India and Canada vow to reset ties after years of diplomatic spats
A breakthrough has been achieved during a meeting between the prime ministers on the sidelines of the G7 summit India and Canada have agreed to reset ties after years of tensions, which culminated in the mutual expulsions of top diplomats in 2024. New Delhi and Ottawa will designate new high commissioners to their respective missions. A high commissioner is the top diplomat, ranking as an ambassador, in a diplomatic mission of one British Commonwealth nation to another. The Commonwealth nations use the term 'high commission' instead of embassy in diplomatic dealings. The breakthrough between the nations took place during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, on the sidelines of the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. "Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties, based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity," Carney's office said in astatement. "The leaders agreed to designate new High Commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries," the office added. During the talks, Modi and Carney discussed trade ties between the two countries, including cooperation in areas such as economic growth, supply chain development, and energy transition. The deterioration of ties between the countries accelerated after the G20 summit in India in 2023. On the sidelines of the global gathering in New Delhi, Modi met with then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and brought up the "continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada." Ties between the countries reached a low in October 2024 when Canadian officials accused Indian diplomats of targeting Sikh activists in Canada, leading to mutual expulsions of diplomats. Some members of Canada's Sikh community demand the establishment of Khalistan, an independent ethno-religious nation that would be carved out of the Indian state of Punjab and surrounding areas. This Khalistan movement in Canada has been central to the rising tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa, especially followingTrudeau's allegationsthat India was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a key figure in the movement. New Delhi views Khalistan activists as a national threat and has banned their organizations. Pro-Khalistan separatists periodically organize protests, chant anti-India slogans, and target diplomatic missions and Hindu temples, with violent attacks taking place in Canada. India has also been accused of interfering in Canadian elections, which New Delhi has denied. (
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
India and Canada vow to reset ties after years of diplomatic spats
A breakthrough has been achieved during a meeting between the prime ministers on the sidelines of the G7 summit India and Canada have agreed to reset ties after years of tensions, which culminated in the mutual expulsions of top diplomats in 2024. New Delhi and Ottawa will designate new high commissioners to their respective missions. A high commissioner is the top diplomat, ranking as an ambassador, in a diplomatic mission of one British Commonwealth nation to another. The Commonwealth nations use the term 'high commission' instead of embassy in diplomatic dealings. The breakthrough between the nations took place during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, on the sidelines of the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. "Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties, based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity," Carney's office said in astatement. "The leaders agreed to designate new High Commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries," the office added. During the talks, Modi and Carney discussed trade ties between the two countries, including cooperation in areas such as economic growth, supply chain development, and energy transition. The deterioration of ties between the countries accelerated after the G20 summit in India in 2023. On the sidelines of the global gathering in New Delhi, Modi met with then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and brought up the "continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada." Ties between the countries reached a low in October 2024 when Canadian officials accused Indian diplomats of targeting Sikh activists in Canada, leading to mutual expulsions of diplomats. Some members of Canada's Sikh community demand the establishment of Khalistan, an independent ethno-religious nation that would be carved out of the Indian state of Punjab and surrounding areas. This Khalistan movement in Canada has been central to the rising tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa, especially followingTrudeau's allegationsthat India was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a key figure in the movement. New Delhi views Khalistan activists as a national threat and has banned their organizations. Pro-Khalistan separatists periodically organize protests, chant anti-India slogans, and target diplomatic missions and Hindu temples, with violent attacks taking place in Canada. India has also been accused of interfering in Canadian elections, which New Delhi has denied. (
The Hill
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
A secession movement brews in western Canada
Canada has found itself in the headlines this year for reasons the nation would rather avoid. President Trump mocked then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling him 'the governor of America's 51st state.' He floated the idea of annexing the country as recently as May 27 in connection with the proposed Golden Dome anti-ballistic system. Trump has also imposed tariffs on Canadian products, deepening tensions, particularly with Alberta, a western province long at odds with the capital of Ottawa. But these tensions go beyond cross-border provocations from Trump. They expose deeper fractures within Canada's political framework — cracks in a federal system increasingly strained by regional discontent, constitutional ambiguity and competing visions of national identity. Canada's governing structure is further complicated by the fact that it is a constitutional monarchy within the British Commonwealth. Though fully sovereign, Canada still recognizes King Charles III as its head of state — a connection many now view as antiquated. Symbolism, however, is only part of the problem. Domestically, Canada is a patchwork of distinct cultural and political communities. Indigenous peoples, whose rights are constitutionally recognized, and Francophone Quebec — with its own language and long history of separatist movements — maintain identities distinct from English-speaking Canada. Quebec, in particular, has never formally endorsed the Constitution Act of 1982, reinforcing its sense of distance from federal authority. Efforts to integrate Quebec collapsed under political pressure, fueling a separatist wave that nearly succeeded in the 1995 referendum. In response, Canada's parliament passed the Clarity Act (2000), setting legal parameters for any province seeking secession. While it was motivated by Quebec, the law now casts a shadow over Alberta's growing independence movement. Alberta, as the heart of Canada's oil and gas industry, has frequently clashed with Ottawa over energy and environmental regulations, carbon pricing and 'equalization payments,' which redistribute revenue from wealthier to less affluent provinces. Since taking office, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has become a leading advocate for greater provincial autonomy. Following the election of Prime Minister Mark Carney, who retained the officials from the Trudeau cabinet responsible for energy and environmental policy, the fault line has deepened. Smith ramped up opposition to federal climate initiatives, arguing they unfairly target Alberta's economy. She sent a delegation to Ottawa seeking a 'reset' of the federal-provincial framework, criticized Canada's handling of U.S. tariffs and even met separately with then-President-elect Trump to press Alberta's case — moves Carney viewed as divisive. Canada exports 81 percent of its total oil production, with 97 percent going to America. Of that amount, 87 percent originates from Alberta. Oil refineries in certain regions of the U.S., primarily in the Midwest, require the grade of oil produced north of the border. Though Smith has ruled out outright secession, she is laying the legal groundwork for a possible referendum. A recent Angus Reid poll found that 36 percent of Albertans support independence. The mood in Alberta is growing more defiant, inspiring calls for decentralization in other western provinces and fueling a push for a looser federation. In 2022, Smith's government passed the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, a contentious law allowing the province to challenge federal legislation deemed unconstitutional or harmful to Alberta's interests. Though it does not override national court rulings, it represents a bold assertion of provincial rights, particularly on natural resources and environmental matters. For now, Smith insists that her agenda is not about separation but about fairness — pushing for a federation that respects regional differences and economic contributions. Still, her rhetoric and legislative actions suggest a province preparing for major confrontations ahead. With separatist sentiment simmering just beneath the surface, Canada is once again forced to reckon with fundamental questions about the nature and durability of its union. David W. Wise is a retired businessman who publishes frequently on public policy. He is a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Daily Tribune
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
King Charles highlights Canadian ‘self-determination' as Trump looms
King Charles III stressed Canada's proud independence yesterday as he delivered a major speech to open parliament in Ottawa set against US President Donald Trump's repeated threats to take over the country. 'Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the Government is determined to protect,' Charles said, adding Canada was facing a 'critical moment.' Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the 76-year-old British monarch -- who is the Canadian head of state -- to the capital, accompanied by Queen Camilla. King Charles's 'speech from the throne' was the first by a monarch in nearly half a century. The king has never publicly commented on Trump's repeated talk of making Canada the 51st US state, but his language was closely watched for any reference. Although the speech was read by the king as if his own words, it was in fact written by the prime minister's office to set out the government's priorities to 'build Canada strong' and how it aims to achieve them. Trump has also ripped up the world trade order and launched tariff wars against friends and foes alike, particularly targeting Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth. 'The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada's relationships with partners are also changing,' Charles said, in cautious words. 'We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War. Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.' The so-called throne speech was delivered in the Senate -- a former railway station that has been converted while parliament undergoes major renovations. In diplomatic language, the speech was a reaffirmation of Canada's sovereignty.
eNCA
27-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
King Charles highlights Canadian 'self-determination' as Trump looms
King Charles III stressed Canada's proud independence on Tuesday as he delivered a major speech to open parliament in Ottawa set against US President Donald Trump's threat to take over the country. "Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect," Charles said, adding that Canada was facing a "critical moment." Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the 76-year-old British monarch -- who is the Canadian head of state -- to the capital, accompanied by Queen Camilla. The king has never publicly commented on Trump's repeated talk of making Canada the 51st US state, but his language was closely watched for veiled references. Although the speech was read by the king as if his own words, it was written by the prime minister's office to set out the government's priorities to "build Canada strong" and how it aims to achieve them. In addition to his annexation threats, Trump has also launched tariff wars, particularly targeting Canada, a member of the 56-nation British Commonwealth. "The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing," Charles said, in cautious words. "We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War." - 'Symbolism' - The speech was delivered in the Senate -- a former railway station that has been converted while parliament undergoes renovations -- with past prime ministers, Supreme Court justices and Indigenous leaders in feather headdresses in attendance. POOL/AFP | Victoria JONES "You see the enthusiasm for our institutions," Carney said in reference to cheering crowds awaiting the king. "Our sovereignty is strong." King Charles's "speech from the throne" was the first by a monarch in nearly half a century. It was delivered by Charles's mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in 1957 and 1977. "In terms of symbolism, it's extraordinary," said Felix Mathieu, a politics professor at the University of Quebec in Outaouais. Tuesday's event, Mathieu said, was a message to Trump to show him that "Canada is not alone in this fight." Carney has vowed to oversee the biggest transformation of Canada's economy since the end of the Second World War to enable it to "stand up" to Trump. AFP | Dave Chan Charles said in the speech that Canada would also "build new alliances" and seek out "reliable trading partners and allies around the world," while reinvesting in its military and Arctic defense. "Canada is ready to build a coalition of like-minded countries that share its values, that believe in international co-operation and the free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas," he said. - Festive welcome - Thousands gathered along a parade route for a chance to see their monarch arriving in a carriage escorted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police horses. The atmosphere was festive with people waving Canadian flags, a 21-gun salute and a fighter jet flypast. The king stopped several times to speak with people along a security fence before and after his speech. AFP | ANDREJ IVANOV Kirsten Hanson, 44, said she welcomed the king's show of support as the pressure grows from the United States. "If there's anything that he can do to demonstrate Canada's sovereignty I think that that's fantastic," she told AFP. "Nobody wants to be absorbed into the US." "Elbows up," said Marion Hand, 88, in reference to Carney's battle cry in the face of Trump's annexation threats. She traveled from Mississauga, Ontario for the event and was visibly giddy after a handshake with the king and queen. By Michel Comte
