Defence
Army Chiefs Of Indo-Pacific Countries To Meet In Delhi; Diplomatic Row Unlikely To Affect India-Canada Military Relations, Say Officials
The diplomatic dispute between India and Canada won't jeopardise the conference.
India and United States will jointly host the 13th edition of Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) in New Delhi, scheduled to be held from 25 to 27 September.
The conference will also see the participation of the Canadian Army with the Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott leading the Canadian delegation.
Despite the ongoing diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, senior Indian Army officials have reassured that it will not disrupt the IPACC.
Major General Abhinaya Rai, the additional director general of strategic planning, stated during a media briefing about the conference that "the standoff would not impact the multilateral event".
He emphasised that Canada's involvement in IPACC would be vital, and diplomatic and military engagement with Canada would continue, even amid the ongoing dispute.
Concurrently, the 47th Indo Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum will also take place.
The central theme for this forum is "Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region".
The core effort of the forum will be to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue and friendship amongst the littoral partners.
IPACC, initiated in 1999 as a biennial event, gathers army chiefs from countries in the Indo-Pacific region to discuss mutual interests. Approximately 15 army chiefs and delegations from 35 countries are expected to attend the event in Delhi.
The list of attendees is in the final stages of confirmation as some countries are yet to confirm their participation.
The diplomatic rift between India and Canada emerged when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted at a potential connection between the Indian government and the killing of a Khalistan separatist earlier this year, an allegation India vehemently denies.
Canadian Government following the allegations also asked a senior Indian diplomat to leave Canada.
In response, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, giving him five day to leave India.
