On 10th February 2020, Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modi received a telephone call from Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
Prime Minister Trudeau informed Prime Minister Modi about Canada's requirements of COVID-19 vaccines from India. Prime Minister assured the Canadian PM that India would do its best to support Canada's vaccination efforts, just as it had done for many other countries already. Prime Minister Trudeau said that if the world managed to conquer COVID-19, it would be significantly because of India's tremendous pharmaceutical capacity, and Prime Minister Modi's leadership in sharing this capacity with the world. The two leaders also reiterated the common perspective shared by India and Canada on many important geo-political issues. They agreed to continue the close collaboration between both countries in fighting global challenges like Climate Change as well as the economic impacts of the pandemic and agreed continue their discussions on all issues of mutual interest.
Today the Indian community in Canada has representation in all facets of Canadian society. India has now emerged as the largest provider of human capital to Canada and the 1.6 million-strong Indian community (PIO) in Canada and the 600,000 NRIs who make Canada their home, form the bedrock of the growing India Canada relations.
We are incredibly proud of the success of the Indian community here. Canada has been a welcoming second home for our community, and they have integrated and excelled in their Canadian life. From politics to sports, from literature to sciences, from academics to business and everything in between, the Indian community in Canada has been integral in shaping the face of Canada in the world.
The last year has been tough for all of us as we battled against a global pandemic the began in China. Now we are at the cusp of making ourselves safe- thanks to the wider availability of vaccines. It is, therefore, unfortunate that some extremist elements are taking advantage of the situation to spread their malefice and toxic network in Canada.
We have seen a flood of misinformation, blatant lies and distortions being circulated about some recent developments in India. There has also been an increase in rhetoric promoting violence in India. Such disinformation is also aimed at defaming and harming the image of India and Indians as well as to sow distrust and promote hatred between different communities of Indian origin in Canada.
We request you to encourage Indian citizens, friends of India and the Canadian public to remain vigilant against such attempts and not be swayed by false narratives and sophistry.
These resources can also be easily accessed on the website of the High Commission (www.hciottawa.gov.in). Links to some of the resources that lucidly explain the satiation are listed below for easy reference;
We request you to encourage community members and friends of India to complain against any false, unsubstantiated and misleading reports in the media and the social media to the platforms that carry such false propaganda and hate speech.
We are also concerned at reports that Indian citizen and friends of India who have expressed their views in support of the farm reforms in India have been targeted and subjected to intimidation, threats of violence and calls to boycott or disrupt their business.
We request you to convey to the community that in the event that any person is subjected to any such threats of violence or intimidation, they should report the matter, with all details to the local police, and also bring it to our immediate attention.
We also request you to support community members in case such threats are made to persons. You may urge them to immediately approach Canadian authorities and the local police and seek the protection of anti-hate laws in Canada. They should be urged to share such instances with Indian community organizations so that such organizations can bring such instances to the notice of Canadian authorities and leadership.
For the continued welfare of the community, it is essential to maintain unity and amity between the different communities. The community must come together and work as one for this cause and not be influenced by forces that promote hatred and seek to divide it. All voices of the community should be equally respected and valued.
If you have any concerns feel free to reach out to us.
