Escalating Diplomatic Row w/India Sees Prospect Of FTA Diminish Further

Wires reporting comments from a spox at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the continued fracturing of diplomatic relations with Canada. This comes after India suspended its issuing of visas to Canadian citizens earlier today, with the service provider BLS claiming 'operational reasons' behind the decision.

• Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's comments on 18 Sep, stating that his intelligence agencies were assessing whether "agents of the gov't of India" were involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen in British Columbia on 18 June have caused uproar in India. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was was officially labeled as a terrorist by the Indian gov't in 2020.
• Spox claims 'There is a degree of prejudice by Canada', and that 'allegations by Canada are primarily political'.
• Spox: 'No specific information has been shared by Canada on this case...We have conveyed to Canada our request on sharing information...very specific information shared from our side to Canada, but Canada has not acted upon it.'
• Spox: 'The larger issue is of "terrorism", funded and supported by Pakistan, including in Canada...Canada needs to look at its reputation as a safe haven for "terror".'
• The ongoing row significantly clouds the already-dark outlook for the long-mooted India-Canada free trade agreement. Talks have already been 'paused' due to the row, with no sign of a resumption any time soon.