M umbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 14 : Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, says negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India are gaining strong momentum, with a potential conclusion expected in the coming months following the completion of the fifth round of talks. Highlighting the energy and drive behind the discussions, Sidhu noted that the partnership is anchored in mutual growth. "What I can share is that the energy, focus, and momentum are there. With Canada, it's always about mutual prosperity. It's not just about taking; it's about giving and taking, shared responsibilities and mutual collaboration. And so, there's a lot of collaboration," Sidhu told ANI. Sidhu is currently in India leading a delegation of 300 Canadian business representatives, the largest trade mission in 30 years, spanning sectors like clean technology, space, aerospace, and agritech. Expressing gratitude for the reception, he stated, "I want to thank India for the hospitality extended to my delegation of 300 Canadian business delegates, the largest in 30 years. It's something to celebrate. The last time this happened was in January 1996." Pointing to India's fast-paced economic expansion, growing at six to seven per cent year over year, Sidhu emphasised that Canada is well-positioned to meet India's rising resource and infrastructure demands. He pointed specifically to energy and critical minerals as primary areas of synergy. "India is requiring about 70 per cent more energy by 2035. We're investing in plenty of LNG terminals in Canada. We're going to be a top-five LNG exporter in the world. In addition to that, it's about LPG. That's part of the conversation," Sidhu explained. He also underscored potential cooperation in the nuclear sector, noting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's SHANTI Act initiative to expand nuclear capacity twelvefold: "Canada has the capabilities and nuclear technology, including uranium, to support India in its objectives. And so, when I talk about complementarities, I talk about that." Furthermore, during interactions with major conglomerates in Mumbai, discussions heavily featured alternative supply chains for critical minerals essential for electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced manufacturing. "Canada is abundant in resources, and we're looking for partners to get those resources out of the ground," he said. The trade dialogue also builds on ongoing talks between Sidhu and India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. Noting that free trade agreements lower tariffs to boost business competitiveness, Sidhu welcomed India's ongoing trade expansion strategy. "As you know, India has signed agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, and now they're looking to do a deal with Canada. We welcome that opportunity, and we'll continue engaging with India for a fair deal that works for both of our countries," Sidhu said, adding that current engagements represent "just the tip of the iceberg". Canada’s push for a trade deal with India is partly driven by the need to reduce dependence on the US. Furthermore, Sidhu emphasised that market diversification is Ottawa's core "Plan A" to build long-term economic resilience and provide domestic businesses with vital global options, even as trade negotiations with India enter their final stretch. Highlighting the strategic importance of expanding trade partnerships beyond a single market, as they have with the US, Sidhu stressed that heavy reliance leaves suppliers vulnerable to price dictation. "We have made it clear that Plan A is always diversification. Why is that important? If you have only one customer buying your product, they will dictate the price. So, we need to give our businesses options and opportunities, and that's why Plan A is about diversification," Sidhu noted. While reaffirming that the United States remains Canada’s largest and most crucial trading partner, Sidhu pointed to an aggressive wave of global trade agreements designed to bolster economic security. Highlighting recent diplomatic milestones, he added, "Since last year, we've signed multiple trade agreements with Indonesia and Ecuador. I just completed one with the UAE in a record 47 days, the fastest a trade agreement has ever been negotiated by Canada. With the European Union, we're working on defence procurement. We're now negotiating, as you know, with India, ASEAN, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Turkey." Earlier in the day, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal interacted with Minister Maninder Sidhu to discuss advancing the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations. India and Canada are working towards an agreement aimed at unlocking additional opportunities for businesses and workers Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

S RINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's much-anticipated visit to Ladakh-described by a union minister as a region "close to the hearts beating in New Delhi"-has been quietly replaced by a virtual inauguration from the national capital. The change, arriving amid sensitive negotiations and lingering mistrust, has reinforced the perception that the political distance between Ladakh's leadership and the Centre remains far from resolved. On Wednesday, Modi will inaugurate five major development projects worth ₹3,350 crore via video conferencing, instead of travelling to Leh as earlier suggested by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. The Prime Minister will still address the main event being held in Leh and is expected to make key announcements aimed at rebuilding confidence between his government and the people of Ladakh. Even so, the decision to skip an in-person visit-officially attributed to scheduling constraints-is widely interpreted in Ladakh as a sign that the Centre's engagement with the region's two principal representative bodies, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), remains stalled. During his visit to Leh in August, Rijiju had assured Ladakhis that the Modi government was "fully committed" to granting the region a special constitutional provision under Article 371. He spoke of Ladakh as "a region of immense pride for India," promising development, protection of cultural identity, and a personal visit by the Prime Minister to review projects and meet local communities. Instead, Modi will address Ladakh virtually, inaugurating projects spanning airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, hydropower, archaeological conservation and water security. The development push is significant-but the symbolism of his absence is equally so. The Centre's relationship with LAB and KDA-who jointly represent Ladakh's demand for constitutional safeguards and restoration of its legislature-remains fraught. The virtual inauguration comes just weeks after the Union Territory Administration announced a major compensation package for victims of the September 24, 2025 violence in Leh, a gesture aimed at rebuilding trust. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved ₹15 lakh each for families of the four deceased, ₹3 lakh for those with major injuries, and ₹1 lakh for minor injuries-amounting to ₹1.52 crore in relief. Ahead of the first anniversary of the unrest, the Lt. Governor approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 individuals, the move an official statement from Leh called a major step toward restoring peace and social harmony in the Union Territory. It said the cases-linked to the violence that broke out in Leh last year-were withdrawn under Section 360 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, following a comprehensive review by Ladakh Police. The September 24 unrest had led to multiple cases of rioting and arson. Police identified 87 accused, arresting 81 and initiating criminal proceedings. After reviewing the investigations, Ladakh Police recommended dropping charges against 20 people named in FIR No. 144/2005 at Leh Police Station. The Lt. Governor cleared the proposal "in the larger interest of peace and public tranquillity", thereby meeting LAB-KDA's long-standing demand. Yet, despite these steps, political negotiations remain stalled. Talks held on September 9 in New Delhi reportedly made little headway. The Ministry of Home Affairs later asked LAB and KDA to build consensus on eight to ten unresolved issues before the Centre drafts a special constitutional framework under Article 371-a reminder of the complex terrain ahead. "Even as development efforts are pushed forward with visible urgency, the political gulf remains stubbornly wide," observed one seasoned Ladakh watcher. The Prime Minister will inaugurate a series of key infrastructure and development projects in Ladakh, beginning with the new terminal at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. Built at a cost of ₹640 crore, the 23,800 sq. m terminal can handle 35 lakh passengers annually and features geothermal energy systems along with architectural elements inspired by Ladakhi culture. He will also open the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, a strategically crucial BRO-built route cutting through the Zanskar Valley. The road provides an alternative to both the Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways, significantly strengthening military mobility and regional connectivity. In the power sector, the Prime Minister will dedicate the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and the Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi transmission line, which together enhance Ladakh's electricity network and support hydropower evacuation. Another major initiative is India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat, aimed at preserving Ladakh's prehistoric rock art and boosting heritage tourism. Additionally, he will launch Project Him Sarovar, which involves developing 40 water bodies across 40 villages to address Ladakh's seasonal water imbalance and support agricultural needs. These initiatives reflect the Centre's continued investment in Ladakh's infrastructure and strategic importance. But for many in the region, development alone does not resolve the deeper political anxieties that have persisted since Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019. For LAB and KDA, Modi's absence is not merely a logistical detail-it is a political signal. A promised visit that becomes a virtual appearance reinforces the sentiment that while development projects are progressing, the Centre has yet to fully engage with Ladakh's core political aspirations. The hearts, as Ladakhi leaders often say, "have not yet met." As Ladakh awaits clarity on Article 371, restoration of democratic representation, and long-term constitutional safeguards, the Prime Minister's virtual inauguration stands as a reminder: the physical infrastructure of Ladakh may be rising, but the political bridge between the region and New Delhi remains under construction.

N ew Delhi [India], October 14 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met with Nepali Home Minister Sudhan Gurung in New Delhi. Highlighting their meeting, EAM Jaishankar wrote in a post on X, "Nice to meet Home Minister Sudhan Gurung of Nepal." {{{{twitter_post_id#### Nice to meet Home Minister Sudhan Gurung of Nepal. https://t.co/WrI989NOSt — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 14, 2026 }}}} The Nepali Home Minister departed for Kathmandu following the interaction with Jaishankar at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Gurung arrived in India to attend the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday. Noting the meeting of the two ministers, the Nepal Embassy in India wrote in a post on X, "Hon. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung departed New Delhi for Kathmandu today, concluding his visit to attend the First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting held on 13 October 2026. Before his departure, Hon. Minister Gurung also had a brief interaction with Hon. Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, at Indira Gandhi International Airport. He was seen off by CdA Dr. Surendra Thapa, Embassy officials and representatives of the Government of India." Earlier on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met his counterpart from Nepal, Sudhan Gurung, on the sidelines of the First BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, reaffirming the commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen their ties. In a post on X, Amit Shah said, "Delighted to meet Nepal’s Home Minister, H.E. Sudhan Gurung, on the sidelines of the First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi. We reaffirmed our commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation and further strengthen the close ties between India and Nepal for peace, progress and prosperity in our region." Highlighting their discussion, the Nepal Embassy in India said in a post on X that HM Gurung expressed gratitude towards India's timely assistance following the flash floods that ravaged Kathmandu in August. "Home Minister Sudhan Gurung met with Amit Shah, Union Home Minister of India, on the sidelines of the First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi today. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral security cooperation, coordination on border management, combating transnational crime, and enhancing disaster preparedness and response. Hon. Minister Gurung expressed appreciation for India’s timely assistance following the recent floods and landslides in Nepal and emphasised advancing practical cooperation for the mutual benefit of both peoples, guided by sovereign equality, mutual respect and trust," the Embassy said. This comes after Home Ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation member countries adopted a comprehensive joint declaration prioritising robust, coordinated measures against evolving regional security threats, following the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the joint declaration "emphasised combating cross-border terrorism, terror financing, radicalisation, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and organised crime." The ministry stated that the framework "prioritised information sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition, capacity building, and the effective implementation of existing agreements and plans of action," while placing special stress on "the protection of victims of human trafficking involved in online scams. "To strengthen the regional security framework, Home Ministers of the BIMSTEC member states formally approved five key agreements and action plans during the meeting. The BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons was approved to enhance regional cooperation among member states in preventing human trafficking, criminalising the offence, and ensuring the protection and rehabilitation of victims. The BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Drug Control was adopted to combat the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals across borders. Ministers approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Capacity Building among BIMSTEC Countries to Combat Money Laundering and Terror Financing. This agreement provides for the training of experts, the exchange of best practices, and extensive cooperation across financial crimes, financial intelligence, investigations, asset recovery, anti-money laundering measures, countering the financing of terrorism, and countering proliferation financing. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor