Lentil imports from Canada steady, no hiccups in trade between 2 nations: Consumer Affairs Secy

India has rejected Canada's suspicions about its role in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in June in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population

India’s lentil or masur imports from Canada are continuing at a steady pace, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Singh said on October 26.

His comments came a day after media reports had speculated that amid the ongoing India-Canada diplomatic spat, importers had been asked by the Indian government to suspend importing pulses.

“Flow of trade between India and Canada continues seamlessly. No discrimination is being made against imports from Canada,” the secretary added.

As per details shared by him, the country has already imported 4.63 lakh metric tonnes (mt) of masur in this fiscal year.

In 2022-23, Canada was the biggest exporter of lentils to India, accounting for more than half of the total legume imports into the country with shipments of 4.8 lakh metric tonnes.

Ties between New Delhi and Ottawa deteriorated sharply after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in September his intelligence agencies were pursuing credible allegations tying Indian agents to the shooting of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.

India has rejected Canada's suspicions about its role in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in June in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population.

Trade between India and Canada

Bilateral trade between India and Canada has seen significant growth in recent years, reaching $8.16 billion in 2022-23, PTI noted. India's exports ($4.1 billion) to Canada include pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, textiles, and machinery, while Canada's exports to India ($4.06 billion) include pulses, timber, pulp and paper, and mining products.

In Q1 FY2023-24, India’s exports to Canada were worth about $911 million, while imports from Canada were worth $990 million.

India's exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, textiles, and machinery. On the other hand, Canada's exports to India include pulses, timber, pulp and paper and mining products.