WHITEHORSE — Yukon's premier says meetings in India aimed at attracting more workers to the territory went very well, but the path forward is murky after the prime minister suggested India was involved in the death of a B.C. activist.
Ranj Pillai says he was preparing for a last day of meetings in India as part of a weeklong trade mission to Asia, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that "credible" intelligence links India's government to the killing of a Sikh independence activist.
Pillai says his trip included talks in India around bringing more doctors and nurses to the territory and possible agreements related to training opportunities.
Now he says his government will be watching to see how the growing tensions unfold.
Pillai says he's particularly concerned about the future of the visa and immigration process between the two countries, but doesn't believe places with such close economic ties can sever their relationship completely.
This week India's visa processing centre in Canada suspended services as it warned its citizens to exercise the “utmost caution” when travelling in Canada.
India is the second largest source of employees for the Yukon Nominee Program, which helps local businesses attract foreign workers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2023
The Canadian Press
