Indian, Canadian officials discuss critical mining cooperation

An Indian minister has held talks with Canadian officials to expand key mining cooperation, the Indian government said, amid strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.

India's Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi "has decided to strengthen the supply chain for critical minerals" in talks with Ranj Pillai, premier of Canada's Yukon territory, the government said in a statement.

The statement does not specify the important minerals discussed, but does mention that Yukon's leading mineral resources include lead, zinc, silver, gold, asbestos, iron and copper.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed serious concerns about the Sikh protests in Canada to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi earlier this month.

For its part, Canada has suspended negotiations on a proposed trade pact with India. Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng is also postponing a planned trade mission to India.