Premier Ranj Pillai has released this statement after meeting with Sanjay Kumar Verma, the High Commissioner of India to Canada, and Consul General Manish.

“On March 23, I was pleased to meet with His Excellency Sanjay Kumar Verma on his first visit to the Yukon and with Consul General Manish on his return after visiting last October.

“Minister John Streicker also had the opportunity to meet with the delegation, holding productive discussions about areas of shared opportunity in the critical minerals sector.

“We discussed the rapid growth of the Indo-Canadian community across the Yukon as well as the contributions of Yukoners with connections to India.

“This conversation builds on our government’s announcement last week regarding the increase to our allocations under the Yukon Nominee Program. Last year, India was the top country of origin for people accessing this program.

“Minister Nils Clarke and I had the opportunity to join His Excellency and the Consul General at an event in Whitehorse where we spent the evening connecting with members of the Yukon’s Indo-Canadian community. It was a great way to welcome our guests and display our Yukon hospitality, while honouring the Indo-Canadian community here in Whitehorse.

“During this event, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma presented Varishth Yoddha felicitations to Joginder Grewal, a Whitehorse resident since 1987, beloved community gardener and 96-year-old veteran who served in World War II with the British Royal Air Force and later with the Indian Air Force.

“Congratulations to Mr. Grewal on this much deserved recognition for his years of service in the armed forces and in the community.

“The Indo-Canadian community contributes so much to the Yukon. I look forward to building our relationship and strengthening our people-to-people connections between India and the Yukon.”