The revelations by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Parliament on Monday, essentially accusing the Indian government of the assassination of Gudwara leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has set off a major foreign policy crisis in Canada. There are many dimensions of this story that will be explored in the coming days, weeks, and months. They include the actual nature of the intelligence that points to Indian government culpability, Canada’s diplomatic relationship with India (both leading up to and after the assassination), and the operation of its national security services, especially with regard to their unsuccessful attempt to warn Nijjar of the impending danger. However, one aspect that is already fairly apparent is Canada’s waning diplomatic clout internationally. The response by our allies has been a far cry from forceful support. While this may have come as a shock to some, it is a culmination of several threads in Canadian foreign policy that have been discussed in this column over the past year. By Richard Shimooka. Full Text -> MacdonaldLaurier

The chief executive of ONGC Videsh, India’s second-largest oil and gas company, on Sunday confirmed talks between India and the U.S. State Department are underway to allow the company to settle past debts by trading Venezuelan oil cargoes. By Gary McWilliams. Full Text -> Reuters

Traducción de cortesía ->El director ejecutivo de ONGC Videsh, la segunda compañía de petróleo y gas más grande de India, confirmó el domingo que se están llevando a cabo conversaciones entre India y el Departamento de Estado de EE. UU. para permitir que la compañía salde deudas pasadas mediante el comercio de cargamentos de petróleo venezolano. Traducción al español -> Google Translación

Emirati political science professor, Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, told the Financial Times the decision of Gulf states to split with the US shows a growing willingness to step out of America’s shadow.“We no longer need a green light from America or any other western capital to decide on our national interest,” he said. “We are not with or against – that is the position. If America is upset, they will just have to level with that.”Russia’s other supporters include Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela said “the peace of Russia is the peace of the world”. By Victoria Craw. Full Text -> INews

Traducción de cortesía -> El profesor emiratí de ciencias políticas, Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, dijo al Financial Times que la decisión de los estados del Golfo de separarse de EE. UU. muestra una creciente voluntad de salir de la sombra de EE. UU. “Ya no necesitamos luz verde de EE.UU. en nuestro interés nacional”, dijo. “No estamos a favor o en contra, esa es la posición. Si Estados Unidos está molesto, tendrán que ser honestos con eso”. Los otros partidarios de Rusia incluyen a Cuba, Nicaragua y Venezuela. Traducción al español -> Google Translación

India did not receive any Venezuelan crude imports in February for a third consecutive month due to Washington’s suspension of oil-for-fuel swaps between state-run PDVSA and Reliance Industries Ltd since October. That compares with 371,300 barrels per day (bpd) of Venezuelan oil that arrived in Indian ports in February 2020. Full Text-> LiveMint

India is hoping U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration will take a softer line against adversaries Iran and Venezuela, enabling the world’s third-largest oil importer to diversify its sources of crude. The country would be happy if the number of oil-producing nations rise, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in an interview on Bloomberg TV, reiterating comments that he made last month. “Some geopolitical changes are there,” he said. “Let us wait for how things unfold.” By Debjit Chakraborty and Saket Sundria. Full Text -> Financial Post

Though, sources said there would not be any change in relations with the US with change of regime there, limited talks could be initiated to see if the oil market can be expanded for big buyers so that competitive pricing is derived . Full Text -> TheWeekendLeader

India wants to diversify its oil imports, including the resumption of supplies from Iran and Venezuela, after US President-elect Joe Biden takes office, oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday. Full Text-> AlJazeera

“The supply cuts from Saudi Arabia and sanction-induced cut in exports from Venezuela have prompted Indian refiners turn to Iraqi barrels to fill the gap. The grades are perfect one-to-one replacement for the lost barrels,” Kumaran added. By Sambit Mohanty and Gawoon Philip Vahn. Full Text -> S&PGlobal. Platts

India, the world’s third-biggest oil consumer and importer, received 3.2 million barrels per day (bpd) oil in June, a decline of 0.4% from May and about 28.5% from a year ago, the data showed. Last month, India did not import oil from Venezuela for the first time since June 2009, the data also showed. Full Text -> ETNowNews

Venezuela’s diesel imports through a crude-backed humanitarian channel permitted by US sanctions are starting to recover following a June lull, but they remain far short of demand. Full Text -> Argus Media