Good morning, Get your day started with the top reads from today’s edition. 🚨 Canada-India diplomatic row India is facing an unprecedented diplomatic challenge — Canada alleged potential links between the Indian government and the killing of pro-Khalistan leader, Harshdeep Singh Nijjar. Canada then promptly expelled a top Indian diplomat in Canada. And in a tit-for-tat move, India ousted a senior Canadian diplomat in Delhi. So where does this leave India and Canada? Well, yesterday’s diplomatic back and forth certainly marks a new low in India-Canada ties. But there has been trouble in paradise for some time now. The two countries have locked horns on a range of issues – from the 2020-21 farmers’ protest, to pro Khalistan groups. We trace the deepening rift. Now, the Khalistan issue has always plagued bilateral ties, from the 1980s to the last eight years of Trudeau’s term. But this time, Ottawa has ratcheted up the ante and New Delhi is watching the situation keeping in mind the complexity of the bilateral ties and the reputational cost on the global stage. We break down the factors that will shape the next steps. 📑Women’s quota Bill in Lok Sabha The Lok Sabha is all set to discuss the 128th Constitution Amendment Bill, 2023, to bring one-third reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies. For 181 women to enter Parliament, the move has to jump through several legislative hoops. The first stop would be a Census, the earliest of which can only happen in 2025. This would be followed by a delimitation exercise, which requires more amendments to the Constitution. We take a look at the road ahead. But is the Bill set for a smooth passage in the House? The Opposition found two talking points to attack the government. The parties said the Bill was a “huge betrayal” of the hopes of women as the implementation date had been kept vague and criticised the government for not providing quota for backward classes. ⚡Express Opinion In his weekly column, Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes on what the new Parliament building means for India: “The infrastructural nationalism that marks the transition to a new Parliament building is symbolic of our times. Perhaps, it can make room for a more representative parliamentarianism.” Heir Apparent With less than ten days before her first senior World Championships began, Antim Panghal has some big shoes to fill. After all, Vinesh Phogat’s injury earlier eventually opened the doors for Antim to take her spot for the Asiads. We take a look at her journey and what’s ahead. 🚩 WHO red flag In its first-ever report on the global impact of hypertension, the World Health Organisation has flagged that only 37 per cent of Indians with hypertension are diagnosed and only 30 per cent get treated. At least 4.6 million deaths in India can be prevented by 2040 if half its hypertensive population controls its blood pressure, it said. 🎧 Before you go, tune in to our ‘3 Things’ podcast, where we discuss the diplomatic row between India and Canada. We also talk about how well the INDIA alliance is holding up in face of conflicting demands, and the MPs' farewell to the old Parliament building. As the MPs moved to the new Parliament building, there was one, who was busy looking for the new canteen. He managed to locate the canteen and had mutton biryani, thus becoming the first MP-customer of the new canteen. Any guesses who this MP was? Check out today’s Delhi Confidential. Until tomorrow, Rahel Philipose and Sonal Gupta
