A new tussle started between the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the inauguration of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprasth University in East Delhi.

Delhi education minister, Atishi had announced the inauguration of the university by the Delhi CM which prompted the Delhi LG to issue a statement saying, “Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself was aware of the fact that the L-G was scheduled to inaugurate the campus. In fact, they were also aware that they were supposed to be present in the function as Guest of Honour and distinguished guest, as desired by the L-G and had also consented to it.”

“Moreover, even on the day when Atishi made this claim in a press conference, i.e. 06.06.2023, earlier during the day, the VC of GGSIPU had announced on stage at the Convocation of GGSIPU, where Atishi was present as a Guest of Honour, that the East Campus of the University was scheduled to be inaugurated by the Lt. Governor on 08.06.2023,” it added.  

Reacting to this Delhi education minister, Atishi said that the L-G should not forget that education, higher education and technical education are all transferred subjects.

Even Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj reacted to this, saying that the L-G should focus on inauguration of buildings which come under Police, Land and Public order.

“The construction of this campus started when he (VK Saxena) was not the L-G. Manish Sisodia started this work and our elected government took it further. It is strange now for the L-G to say that he was asked by officials to inaugurate the university campus,” Bhardwaj said.

“At this rate, the L-G could say tomorrow that he would inaugurate Saurabh Bhardwaj’s office. That’s why L-G has kept all officers under his control and wants to keep it going. The CM is the one vested with the moral authority to inaugurate the campus. Such thoughts should not even come to the L-G’s mind,” he added.

Tensions have been rising between the Delhi L-G and Delhi CM for the past few years over various matters. Notably, in May this year a Supreme Court judgement had ruled that the Delhi government had powers over civil services in the Delhi after which the Centre had brought in an ordinance regarding civil services giving more power to the L-G, creating more friction between the two posts.

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Canada Delays Free Trade Deal with India

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India and Canada are currently experiencing a tense relationship, with Canada postponing the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India. During the G-20 summit, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral meetings with 15 leaders, but Trudeau’s name was not included in the meeting. Both leaders appeared uncomfortable during the welcome and did not attend the dinner organized by President Draupadi Murmu.

Trudeau’s plane had a technical glitch, and he stayed in India for two days before returning to Canada. In the meeting, Modi raised concerns about the separatist Khalistani movement, to which Trudeau responded by supporting freedom of expression and opposing violence. However, anti-India and pro-Khalistan incidents have increased in Canada, with incidents such as a tableau of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, the hoisted Khalistan flag, attacks on Hindu temples, and anti-India slogans. India has expressed strong objections to these activities and claims that the Canadian government is adopting a soft stance.

India and Canada have been trading extensively, with India trading worth Rs 678 billion in FY 2023, and Canada being India’s 35th largest trading partner. India has diplomatic relations with Canada since 1947, with an Indian High Commission in Ottawa and a Consulate General in Toronto, Vancouver. Canada has a High Commission in Delhi and a Consulate General in Chandigarh, Chennai, and Mumbai. There is a strategic partnership between the two at the ministerial level on issues like foreign policy, trade, investment, finance, and energy.

Canada has 24 lakh people of Indian origin, with 7 lakh Sikhs, whom Trudeau’s party sees as a big vote bank. Media reports suggest that minorities will constitute 33 per cent of Canada’s total population by 2036. Trudeau does not want to lose the Sikh and minority vote bank by taking action against Khalistan supporters.

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