India-Canada, Mexico and South America: News and Discussion

Neshant · Post by **Neshant** » 03 Feb 2010 08:19

I do not think Canada harbors any ill will towards India. The problem however is that the US exerts a great deal of pressure on Canada's foreign policy. Being a country where 90% of the population is on the border with the US and 70% of external trade is with the US, it makes it difficult to go against uncle. Canada is to US as Bhutan is to India (well maybe not that helpless).

Even so, Canada refused to join the ranks of robber barons US & UK, Australia..etc in attacking Iraq and conducting other nefarious activities overseas.

Kanishka was definately the last straw in blindly supporting US foreign policy.

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 06 Feb 2010 21:26

Somewhere higher up in this thread, someone mentionned Canada's trade in asbestos with India. I agree that this is a serious problem, and I wish it could be addressed with a view towards protecting people from illness. I found two well-researched and recent articles on this story in Canada's 'Globe and Mail' newspaper. Here are the intros and links for these articles.

RK

& & & & & & & & & & &

Playing a dirty game: exporting asbestos

The reason Ottawa won't stop defending asbestos is politics – Quebec politics

Jeffrey Simpson
Published on Thursday, Feb. 04, 2010 6:36PM EST
Last updated on Saturday, Feb. 06, 2010 4:13AM EST

Somewhere between a national shame and a national scandal lies Canada's export of asbestos.

The federal government promotes asbestos exports – they have risen sharply in the past year – despite the fact that the use of asbestos has all but disappeared in this country. Why? Because scientists, governments, industries and unions have concluded that the product can lead to a variety of health-related problems and, in some cases, to death.

Indeed, while the federal government promotes exports, a multiyear construction project is refitting the Parliament Buildings, among other reasons to remove asbestos. What our parliamentarians won't have in their buildings apparently will be in buildings in the developing world.

The reason the federal government will not stop defending asbestos is politics – Quebec politics, in fact. The asbestos produced in Canada comes from Quebec, from the Jeffrey and LAB Chrysotile mines that employ about 700 people. A large town in Quebec is even called Asbestos.
...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opi ... le1456630/

& & & & & & & & & & &

Charest pilloried over asbestos exports at Delhi summit

As Premier touted Quebec's sustainability efforts, critics blasted province's trade in cancer-linked substance

Alexandre Robillard
Delhi, India — The Canadian Press Published on Friday, Feb. 05, 2010 6:46PM EST
Last updated on Saturday, Feb. 06, 2010 10:03AM EST

Premier Jean Charest maintains he can do nothing to protect workers in India who are exposed to the health risks of asbestos mined in Quebec.

But that didn't stop the Quebec Pemier from trumpeting his province's environmental and sustainable development initiatives during a visit to Delhi on Friday.

Speaking to delegates attending the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, Mr. Charest stressed that federated states like Quebec can have an influence in the fight against climate change.

But later, during a news conference, the Premier said there were no means available to him to prevent the export of asbestos to India, where it has been linked to the health problems of workers.
...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/wor ... le1458216/

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 14 Feb 2010 08:35

X-POSTED / / India-Canada, Mexico and South America: News and Discussion
Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments
Indian Military Aviation

CAE's Bell 412 helicopter simulator being shipped to India

12 Feb 2010 8ak/CAE PR: CAE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced on the eve of the Rotary Wing Society of India's Heli-Power conference, that their joint venture company - the Helicopter Academy to Train by Simulation of Flying (HATSOFF) - was progressing on-schedule for the opening in mid-2010 of India's first Level D helicopter simulator training facility.

The CAE-built full-mission helicopter simulator for HATSOFF is currently en route to India following the completion of manufacturing and in-plant acceptance at CAE's facility in Montreal, Canada....

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/news ... wsid=12368

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 14 Feb 2010 08:39

^Please cross post in India Military Aviation thread as well.

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 16 Feb 2010 20:39

CAE teams up with TATAs for T 90 and T72 tank simulator

Mon, Feb 15, 2010

CAE, the specialist training and simulation provider has teamed up with the Tata group to develop a tank simulator for the T90 and T72 tanks. This is in respose to an RFP from the Indian MoD for simulators for Russian origin tanks.

According to CAE executives at the Defexpo 2010 show in Delhi, the simulator has been delivered for trials to the Indian Army. India does not have simulators for tank training and most training now is done on live tanks.

This leads to waste of resources.

Tanks simulators has been a long standing demand of the Indian army.
...
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/news ... wsid=12385

Also of interest regarding CAE...
http://www.cae.com/en/military/simulati ... utions.asp

arun · Post by **arun** » 21 Feb 2010 12:30

I think this investment in Venezuela’s Carabobo oilfield will be the largest Indian investment to date in S. America:

ONGC team to invest $2.25 bn initially in Venezuela

Press Trust of India / New Delhi February 17, 2010, 16:49 IST

Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and partners Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) will invest around $2.25 billion initially in development of a giant oil project they bagged in Venezuela last week.

The Carabobo-1 project of the Orinoco extra-heavy oil belt of Venezuela would involve a total investment of $19 billion over 25 years. The three firms have for the time being sought government nod for investing $2.25 billion. ……………..

Business Standard

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 23 Feb 2010 05:55

Readers of this thread may be interested to read a recent article in Canada’s ‘Globe and Mail’ newspaper…

Let's refocus: Kashmir, not Kabul
We must do everything to prove Pakistan's generals wrong

Doug Saunders
Published on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 8:35PM EST
Last updated on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010 3:53AM EST

Acting like an especially convivial nightclub manager, Pervez Musharraf storms the room and opens with a joke: “You should come to Pakistan – it's the most happening place in the world, where there's never a dull moment!”

There is nervous laughter. The man who was the military ruler of Pakistan for seven years would like to get back into politics, this time by election. “I'm no longer a military man,” he says, “so I cannot take over anything.” Even more nervous laughter. The generals, in Pakistan, are never far from power.
…
Never mind Af-Pak: The world urgently needs to fix Kash-Pak. We must do everything we can to make these peace talks work, for everything, including the Afghan conflict and the lives of hundreds of millions of people, depends on Pakistan's generals being proved wrong.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opi ... le1475138/

PS: I've done some nifty sparring in the comments section there, and wouldn't mind some backup. Thanks, RK

arun · Post by **arun** » 23 Feb 2010 15:09

^^^ Just because an article has been printed in a Canadian newspaper does not imply that it is correct to post it in this particular thread. Please delete the same.

arun · Post by **arun** » 23 Feb 2010 15:09

More South American investment action by India Inc.

This time in sugar where Shree Renuka invests INR 15.3 Billion (approx USD 329 Million) for control of 7th largest Brazilian sugar manufacturer Equipav:

Shree Renuka buys sugar maker Equipav in second Brazilian deal

Ameet · Post by **Ameet** » 11 Mar 2010 11:33

Indians, Pakistanis to become biggest non-white group in Canada

http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100310/89 ... ggest.html

....minorities will account for almost a third of the country's population by 2031, according to figures released Tuesday. Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis will become the biggest group, accounting for 28 percent of the non-white population.

Their population will be between 3.2 million and 4.1 million - up from 1.3 million in the 2006 census.

By 2031, one in every three Canadians will be non-white, Statistics Canada said in its report. In fact, in Toronto - Canada's biggest city - every two in three persons will be non-whites by then.

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 27 Mar 2010 11:47

New Delhi, Mar.25 (ANI): A high profile Canadian delegation led by John Manley, President and CEO of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), and Roy MacLaren, Chairman of the Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC), will visit India from March 29 to April 1, 2010.

http://news.oneindia.in/2010/03/25/cana ... acepa.html

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 29 Mar 2010 06:56

http://www.dailypioneer.com/245201/Niqa ... anada.html

Canadians have unanimously supported the niqab ban announced by French-speaking Quebec province this week. After France, the Canadian province is the first in North America to ban the niqab, a top-to-toe dress worn by Muslim women.

French has had experience in riots. I am not sure about canada.

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 29 Mar 2010 07:31

^ Apparently they take cues from france, rather than Brits. Not surprised.

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 29 Mar 2010 08:43

Speaking as a Canadian -- I wouldn't say this is a matter of 'taking cues' from the French or anyone else. In the province of Quebec, they have always been very protective of 'French Culture' and Quebec heritage, and the face-covering niqab/burka is definitely antithetical to that, or indeed anything else Canadian. In Quebec, more so than anywhere else in Canada, they have an institutionalized sense of being 'separate and unique', and this entails a whole host of formalized protections of Quebec Culture. Most of the time, it is a matter of the 'Language Police' who insist that signs should be written in French, and that merchants should be French speaking, and such.

In this case, the woman in question was demanding special treatment in a French language class, refusing to converse with male classmates and instructors, and refusing to let her instructor see her mouth while she speaks, which is important for instructional purposes. At first, she was accommodated as much as possible, but then the school said 'asez!' (enough!) and told her outright, "If you want to study here, this is how it's going to be...". She launched a 'human rights complaint' with the authorities, and the Quebec legislature quickly tabled a bill to ban the burka/niqab from public institutions (including public transit, I think). Pretty quickly, Federal politicians voiced support for the measure, although it remains to be seen how far this will go in the Federal Parliament. We shall see. (Already, the Leader of the Official Opposition Liberal Party, has said he supports the ban -- and the sitting Conservatives are naturally inclined to do the same).

Please note that a number of associations representing the interests of Canadian muslims have come out against these garments, noting that there is no mention of them in the qu'ran or any other muslim scriptures, and that the practice of women covering-up their faces is a reflection of middle-eastern misogyny, rather than religious orthodoxy.

For example, the 'MCC' has been ahead of this issue. Read the front page of the website of the 'Muslim Canadian Congress', (noting the date of that statement).

http://www.muslimcanadiancongress.org/

October 8, 2009
Top Egyptian cleric says niqab has nothing to do with Islam

Muslim Canadian Congress wants Canada to Ban the Burka

TORONTO - The Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) is asking Ottawa to introduce legislation to ban the wearing of masks, niqabs and the burka in all public dealings..

In a statement, the MCC said, not only is the wearing of a face-mask a security hazard and has led to a number of bank heists in Canada and overseas, the burka or niqab are political symbols of Saudi inspired Islamic extremism.

The MCC dismissed the argument that wearing of a face-mask by Muslim women is protected by the Charter's guarantee of religious freedom. The MCC said, there is no requirement in the Quran for Muslim women to cover their faces. Invoking religious freedom to conceal one's identity and promote a political ideology, is disingenuous.

The MCC pointed to the the recent decision by Egypt's highest Muslim authority, Sheikh Mohamed Tantawi, dean of al-Azhar university, who said he will issue a Fatwa (religious edict) against the niqab and burka.
...

PS: When we have riots in Canada, it's usually about Ice Hockey.

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 06 Apr 2010 08:20

X-POSTED: Chinese incursions into Indian territory: News and Analysis --&-- India-Canada, Mexico and South America: News and Discussion

I hope this is not OT for this thread, but it is a story from Canada that has defence relevance for India (and someone here at BRF inexplicably decided to put the 'Cyberwarfare' thread in the 'Trash Can' archive -- leaving me no better option).

Canadian researchers reveal online spy ring based in China
Espionage network is breaching servers of dozens of countries and groups and focusing on India and the Dalai Lama

Grant Robertson
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Canadian researchers have uncovered a vast “Shadow Network” of online espionage based in China that used seemingly harmless means such as e-mail and Twitter to extract highly sensitive data from computers around the world.

Stolen documents recovered in a year-long investigation show the hackers have breached the servers of dozens of countries and organizations, taking everything from top-secret files on missile systems in India to confidential visa applications, including those of Canadians travelling abroad.

...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/tec ... le1524228/

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 06 Apr 2010 19:49

^^^^^^^^

X-POSTED: Chinese incursions into Indian territory: News and Analysis --&-- India-Canada, Mexico and South America: News and Discussion

A follow-up article, also from Canada's 'Globe and Mail' newspaper... RK

Spies reach deep into India's defence
Government has been reluctant to discuss the matter publicly

GRANT ROBERTSON
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
Published on Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2010 5:16AM EDT
Last updated on Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2010 9:51AM EDT

When Greg Walton began sifting through the files recovered from one of the biggest Internet spy rings ever cracked, the evidence didn't immediately strike him as a high-stakes espionage case.

The first stolen file Canadian researchers unearthed seemed innocuous. It was an e-mail sent from people in the tiny village of Pooh in India to the Dalai Lama. The small Himalayan enclave was sending 34 boxes of “our finest apples” to the Tibetan leader to wish him a long and healthy life.

“Nothing Earth shattering,” Mr. Walton said.

But soon, Mr. Walton and his colleagues found far more dangerous e-mails in the recovered files that were linked to servers in China.

The spy ring linked to China had Indian national security files, including details of the Pechora missile system, an anti-aircraft, surface-to-air weapons project. Other documents contained data related to the Iron Dome missile system, and Project Shakti, an artillery combat system.

...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/tec ... le1524425/

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 07 Apr 2010 02:10

^^^^^^^^^
Read the full report on 'Scribd'.... SHADOWS IN THE CLOUD Investigating Cyber Espionage 2.0
NB: You can also download a PDF of the report with the free sign-up of a Scribd account. I just read most of it while online, and the report has obvious -- primary -- relevance for Indian defence.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/29435784/SHAD ... ionage-2-0

Ameet · Post by **Ameet** » 16 Apr 2010 21:58

India, Brazil commit to achieve bilateral trade target of 10 billion dollars by 2010

http://news.oneindia.in/2010/04/16/indi ... -of10.html

Expressing satisfaction with bilateral trade reaching 5.6 billion dollars in 2009 despite the impact of the international financial crisis, both President Lula da Silva and Prime Minister Singh said that the trade target of USD 10 billion by 2010 could only be achieved if both countries continued to focus on diversification, particularly in value-added sectors.

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 17 Apr 2010 23:46

"India needs to worry about how these pockets (of Khalistanis) are growing in Canada. Canadian politicians also need to worry about the consequences of these activities," Dosanjh said.

"India should wake up because Khalistani elements are poisoning the minds of second and third generation Indians here who don't know much about India and its rich multicultural heritage," he added.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/a ... 32399.aspx

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 17 Apr 2010 23:50

Dosajh and Hayer are two of the bravest men anywhere. Their integrity is unbelievable.

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 18 Apr 2010 00:10

sanjaykumar wrote:Dosajh and Hayer are two of the bravest men anywhere. Their integrity is unbelievable.

Indeed. They epitomize bravery and integrity.

The attitude of second and third generation khalistanis in Canada is very similar to misguided followers of religion of peace. I could never understand this because unlike religion of peace or christianism, Sikh religion is native to India and Sikhs have no foreign ties what so ever. It really is sad that some rotten fruits can ruin the entire orchard.

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 20 Apr 2010 03:22

Here are two recent newspaper articles from Canada that have relevance for the above comments of Karan Dixit and sanjaykumar...

Politicians boycott parade with Sikh ‘martyr’ float
Surrey mayor to re-evaluate annual event after founders of terrorist groups feted

MARK HUME VANCOUVER
From Monday's Globe and Mail
Published on Monday, Apr. 19, 2010 3:49AM EDT
Last updated on Monday, Apr. 19, 2010 4:14AM EDT

When Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts looked around at the Vaisakhi Parade on the weekend she didn’t see the usual array of political dignitaries, who in the past have shown up at the increasingly controversial event to honour the Sikh community and perhaps win some votes.

But what she did see upset her even more. Wending its way through a sea of people was a float celebrating Sikh martyrs – including founders of separatist groups in India that the Canadian government considers to be terrorist organizations.
...
Mr. Dosanjh said if political leaders turn a blind eye to the “glorification of violence” embraced by some organizers of the parade, young Canadians will be indoctrinated with a message of hate.

“If you have the kind of diversity we have in this country and you allow different communities to become almost militarized and engage in the glorification of violence … that’s bound to have a very serious, grave impact on the fabric of society, ultimately. That’s what I’m worried about,” he said.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nat ... le1538921/

&

Bloody fight erupts at Brampton Sikh temple
Five are in hospital after fight

Published On Sun Apr 18 2010
Raveena Aulakh, Staff Reporter

Five people are in hospital after two opposing groups clashed inside a Brampton Sikh temple Sunday afternoon.

The fight broke out at the Guru Nanak Sikh Centre at Glidden Rd. near Hwy 410 and Steeles Ave. when one group tried to break up the other group’s meeting. It started as a fistfight but witnesses say turbans soon flew and hammers, machetes and construction knives were brandished as a group of about 100 people clashed at about 3:45 p.m.
...
This fight comes two weeks after Manjit Mangat, a prominent Brampton lawyer, was stabbed outside the Sikh Lehar Centre, a Sikh temple located barely a kilometre away from the temple at Glidden Rd. Witnesses had said at least two men brandished unsheathed kirpans, the ceremonial dagger worn by baptized Sikhs, triggering a fresh controversy about Sikhs’ right to wear it.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article ... emple?bn=1

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 21 Apr 2010 12:22

Two more recent articles from Canada's 'Globe and Mail' newspaper, also naming Dosanjh and Hayer

‘Distorted’ multiculturalism to blame for rise in Sikh extremism, Dosanjh says
Liberal MP argues militancy is worse now than when bomb destroyed Air India plane, killing all 329 aboard

Jane Armstrong, Vancouver
From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
Published on Wednesday, Apr. 21, 2010 2:30AM EDT
Last updated on Wednesday, Apr. 21, 2010 2:38AM EDT

Ujjal Dosanjh, a former Liberal cabinet minister and onetime B.C. premier, says Sikh extremism is on the rise in some parts of the country, and blamed, in part, “politically correct” Canadians who let it happen in the name of diversity.

Mr. Dosanjh, who was savagely beaten in Vancouver in 1985 after speaking out against religious violence, said Canadian multiculturalism has allowed extremism to take root in Sikh and other ethnic communities.

That militancy is worse now, he said, than a generation ago when extremists blew up an Air India flight, killing 329 people, most of them Canadians. Ironically, Mr. Dosanjh said separatist extremism is more entrenched in some Canadian Sikh communities than in Punjab, the Indian region where the Khalistan movement – named after the theoretical Sikh country – originated.
...
Mr. Dosanjh and Liberal MLA David Hayer were warned last weekend to stay away from the annual Vasaikhi festival in Surrey, which celebrates the birth of Sikhism.

Then, at the parade, a float appeared that displayed the faces of martyred Sikhs, prompting Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts to turn and leave.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nat ... le1541355/

&

Inflammatory float may impact next year’s Sikh parade
Mayor says current handlers are intent on politicizing the celebration

Jane Armstrong, Vancouver
Globe and Mail Update Published on Monday, Apr. 19, 2010 8:57PM EDT
Last updated on Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2010 1:42AM EDT

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, still steamed about the inclusion of a parade float at Saturday’s annual spring Sikh festival that she viewed as politically inflammatory, has warned that she might look for new organizers next year.

“Let me put it this way: This will not happen again,” Ms. Watts said of the appearance of a controversial float that bore the faces of Sikh martyrs. The mayor said she wants an explanation from organizers as to why they allowed the float.

One repercussion? The city might look for another temple to organize next year’s spring festival.
...
Ms. Watts said she attended the parade Saturday but when she heard that the pro-Khalistan float was included she left.

She said organizers knew the float was inflammatory. They “know full well the controversy surrounding it,” she said. “They know full well what the city position is. And they choose to disregard it anyway.

“We have given them a number of chances in terms of making sure that we don’t have this controversy, of making sure this event is inclusive of everyone in the community.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nat ... le1539929/

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 22 Apr 2010 11:20

The actress and model, frequently named as one of the most beautiful people in the world by Indian and Canadian media, says she is feeling "reborn" after a stem cell transplant in January to treat multiple myeloma.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100421/wl_ ... _lisaray_1

(Although not very strategic in nature but a nice story.)

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 22 Apr 2010 11:25

Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews Wednesday said expressed his alarm at rising extremism in some pockets. Obliquley hinting at Khalistani supporters, the minister said bringing 'extremist views from old conflicts'' into Canada is not acceptable.

http://sify.com/news/extremist-views-fr ... daaeh.html

(Good job Canada!)

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 24 Apr 2010 12:43

Toronto, April 23 : Exactly 25 years after the Air India Kanishka bombing in which 329 passengers were killed, Canada will finally come out with a comprehensive report in June to pin-point the failures which led to one of the worst ever air tragedies.

The report comes out at a time when India has expressed its concern to Canada that Khalistani activities are once again increasing on its soil.

http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-94792.html

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 01 May 2010 03:33

http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/ ... r_2019.pdf

Alternative Outcome: State versus State War Spreads to Canada
After more than 50 years of terrorist style attacks on each other, India declares total war on Pakistan. At first, the nations of the world attempt to engage only at the political level, but with the large number of Indian and Pakistani immigrants flooding into western countries, the unrest quickly takes centre stage as its effects are felt globally. NATO forces, still fighting terrorist-Jihadist insurgents in areas near Pakistan, are increasingly drawn into the India-Pakistan war. Worse, because of the effects of globalization, the war starts spreading to those regions where refugees fled. In Canada, large scale skirmishes breakout both in British Colombia’s lower main land and in Ontario where large populations from India and Pakistan have previously settled.

This is a Canadian Airforce doc. Can this expression be taken up with the Canadian authorities? They should be asked to provide instances where and how India has perpetarted "terrorist style attacks on Pakistan" within the previous 50 years from 2019.

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 01 May 2010 16:35

^^^^^^^
Dear brihaspati, et al.,

The paragraph you have quoted in your above post is from (PDF) page 28 (nominally page 18), from an April 2009 CAF discussion document, published by the Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre. The preamble of the document reads, in part:

The Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre (CFAWC) is the engine of Air Force transformation. CFAWC is the centre of excellence for aerospace power development in Canada, focusing on futurecasting, concept development and experimentation (CD&E), doctrine development, Air Force research and lessons learned. In addition, CFAWC develops and maintains the Air Force aerospace power knowledge repository and coordinates efforts to provide advanced synthetic environment as well as modelling and simulation services.

Not that I am offering an excuse for the offending paragraph (nor am I in any position to do so), but I would guess it is an example of ‘futurecasting’ of a ‘what-if’ scenario; rather than an accusation directed against India. Nevertheless, my guess is not worth much on the matter. I suggest interested parties direct their inquiries toward the Minister in Charge.

The Honourable Peter MacKay
Minister of National Defence
National Defence Headquarters
Major-General George R. Pearkes Building
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0K2

Here is an email address, probably managed by his press secretary: dnd_mdn@forces.gc.ca, as well as a phone number 613-996-3100.

Alternatively, you can direct your inquiry via this ‘Contact Us’ page http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/contact-eng.asp. The full name of the document in question is:

PROJECTING POWER - TRENDS SHAPING CANADA’S AIR FORCE IN THE YEAR 2019
By
LCol Lachance, Project Director
LCol Fernandes, Author
Maj Gushue, Author
Dr. Godefroy, Editor

Approved by
Colonel Michael Dabros, Commanding Officer
Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre

Hard copy letters from Canadian citizens with Canadian addresses are going to receive the most attention, followed by electronic messages from Canadian citizens. If you are not a Canadian citizen, I suggest you use the 'Contact Us' form, and be sure to raise the issue with your MP in India, or someone in the MFA in India. Please do try to be civil, even if the offending paragraph leaves a bitter taste in your mouth when you read it out loud.

Regards,
RK

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 01 May 2010 16:38

Canada warns of ‘imminent’ terror threat in New Delhi

Published On Sat May 01 2010
By Rick Westhead
South Asia Bureau

NEW DELHI—The Canadian government believes there is an “imminent” threat of a terrorist attack in India’s capital city.

In an email circulated Saturday morning to registered Canadians living in India, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade wrote “while there is a continuing threat of terrorist attacks throughout India at all times, credible and specific reporting indicates that a terrorist attack could be carried in the following days or weeks, in market areas of Delhi frequented by foreigners.”

The travel advisory was the third sent out in recent days and warns travellers to avoid New Delhi’s popular Chandni Chowk area.
…
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/india ... delhi?bn=1

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 01 May 2010 16:58

Ravi Karumanchiri wrote
Not that I am offering an excuse for the offending paragraph (nor am I in any position to do so), but I would guess it is an example of ‘futurecasting’ of a ‘what-if’ scenario; rather than an accusation directed against India. Nevertheless, my guess is not worth much on the matter. I suggest interested parties direct their inquiries toward the Minister in Charge.

The problem is not the "futurecasting" part, but the tacit implication of "pastcasting". The scnenario being built is for 2019. If we go back 50 years from that date, it comes 1969. Between 1969 and and 2010, we need to know of the "terrorist" type attacks that Canadian AF thinks was perpetrated by India on Pakistan.

Civility is perhaps not that much of a problem from the level of Indians who are likely to ask the question, compared to the situation that would have resulted if it was going from Pakistanis.

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 01 May 2010 23:20

^^^^^
Agreed and agreed. The 'tacit implication' is unwarranted, unfair and ugly. It requires an explanation. I will be seeking one, but strongly suggest everyone seeks their own explanation as well.

Regards,
RK

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 12 May 2010 10:44

Vancouver: In the first case of its kind in Canada under its terrorism laws, a Sri Lankan Tamil has pleaded guilty to raising funds for the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) which was routed last year by the Sri Lankan forces.

http://sify.com/news/first-tamil-to-be- ... hhcih.html

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 16 May 2010 05:41

Cathay Pacific plane from HK escorted to Vancouver

Canadian fighter jets escorted a Cathay Pacific airliner incoming from Hong Kong to a safe landing in Vancouver International Airport on Saturday due to a potential unspecified security threat, a North American Aerospace Defense Command spokesperson said.

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 21 May 2010 21:52

BSF involved in Kashmir violence: Canada

In a startling attack, the Canadian High Commission has accused the Border Security Force (BSF) of human right violations.

Canada has apparently denied a visa application by a retired BSF constable Fateh Singh Pander.

The reason given for denying the visa is that the BSF is a violent paramilitary unit that is involved in human rights violations and excessive violence in Kashmir.

sum · Post by **sum** » 21 May 2010 22:07

Freaking #$@%&@# Candian govt...

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 21 May 2010 22:23

when a lion shelters a dog, even the dog feels good and growls like a lion...

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 21 May 2010 22:37

Seems be a part of coordinated attempt to restore "balance" in south asia.

lsunil · Post by **lsunil** » 21 May 2010 23:06

Kannedey ki aisi ki taysi

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 22 May 2010 02:02

Terming BSF “notoriously violent’’, Canada rejects ex-constable’s visa

The Canadian letter told Mr. Pandher that he was being denied a visa "because there is reason to believe you are a member of the inadmissible class of persons" involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

krithivas · Post by **krithivas** » 22 May 2010 02:10

India must deny visa to Canadian Government employees because their notoriously incompetent legal system was unable to convict Air India Kanishka bombers.

Unless India learns to slap back hard it will continue to be walked over.