As India and Canada seek to strengthen bilateral relations across trade, energy, technology and security, the banned pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has announced a referendum event in Edmonton, Alberta, on October 18.
 

The announcement has drawn attention as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, with cooperation spanning trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people ties.
 

Canada Sends Over 300 Business Representatives to India
 

Reflecting growing commercial engagement, Canada has sent a delegation of more than 300 business representatives to India. The visit is described as the country’s largest trade mission in more than three decades.
 

Led by Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, the delegation is visiting Mumbai and Bengaluru from October 12 to 17.
 

The mission aims to expand commercial ties and support Canada’s target of more than doubling bilateral trade with India by 2030.
 

Under the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), priority sectors include aerospace, clean energy, technology, life sciences, agri-food and forestry.
 

In a post on X, Sidhu said the Team Canada Trade Mission was focused on building new partnerships and creating opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. He also highlighted the ongoing CEPA negotiations, which both countries aim to conclude by the end of 2026.
 

Bilateral Trade Target Set at $70 Billion
 

Canada aims to increase bilateral trade with India to $70 billion by 2030, compared with the current level of approximately $30 billion.
 

According to the Canadian government, bilateral trade reached $30.4 billion in 2025, including $11 billion in merchandise trade.
 

The trade mission comes as both countries look to broaden cooperation in manufacturing, technology, energy and agriculture.
 

The fifth round of CEPA negotiations began in Ottawa earlier this month, with energy, critical minerals and aerospace emerging as key areas of cooperation.
 

The talks followed an earlier discussion between Sidhu and India’s Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, on the sidelines of a G20 trade ministers’ meeting.
 

India-Canada Relations Recovering After Diplomatic Tensions
 

Relations between India and Canada had remained strained following the June 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
 

Tensions deepened after then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in planning the killing. India rejected the allegations.
 

SFJ, led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has organised similar referendum-style events in the past.
 

The planned Edmonton event is also drawing attention because it comes ahead of a province-wide referendum expected in Alberta in 2026.
 

Voters are expected to be asked whether the province should remain part of Canada or initiate a legal process that could eventually lead to separation from the country.
 

The SFJ announcement and Canada’s trade mission to India come at a time when both countries are pursuing stronger economic engagement despite the history of diplomatic tensions.