India-Canada row: Quiet diplomacy can achieve a lot more

The leaders of both countries should encourage bilateral trade and people-to-people exchanges that can help build bridges

The suspension of trade negotiations was the first salvo in the ongoing diplomatic spat between India and Canada. It is unlikely to hit the economic interests of either country, at least for now. However, unintended consequences cannot be ruled out. Soon after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned to Canada after the G20 meeting in New Delhi, Canada indefinitely postponed the scheduled five-day visit of a trade delegation to India starting 9 October. The Canadian trade mission was to be led by Mary Ng, Canadian Trade Minister. The agenda was to take forward the talks on the Early Progress Trade Agreement