The speaker of Canada’s senate won’t be attending a Group of 20 event hosted by India this week as diplomatic relations between the two countries remain tense.
Raymonde Gagne won’t attend the two-day parliamentary speakers’ summit starting Friday in New Delhi, a spokesperson for her office said Wednesday, declining to provide further information.
Two Indian officials confirmed Gagne won’t be at the summit, adding that no reason was given for her non-attendance. They asked not to be identified to discuss sensitive information.
Om Birla, speaker of the lower house of India’s parliament, had told the media last week that Gagne had agreed to participate. It’s not clear if Canada will have any representation at the meeting. A spokesperson for the office of India’s parliamentary speaker declined to comment when contacted by Bloomberg News.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused the Indian government of playing a role in the assassination of a prominent Sikh leader in Canada. New Delhi has staunchly denied any involvement.
Separately, Canada’s foreign minister said Wednesday the two countries are still in discussion over India’s request that Canada reduce its diplomatic presence in the country.
“Diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private, and that’s the approach I will continue to take when it comes to India,” Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters on Wednesday.
