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    Newsmakers of the Week                                                   JUNE 05, 2026     |  The Indian Eye 35

            Williams, who has been diagnosed                                    far and explore the opportunities ahead for both our countries in energy, agri-
            with a rare form of bone cancer, Fox                                food, tech, and education,” Carney said on X.
            News Digital reported.                                                  Goyal also held detailed discussions with Canada’s Minister of Interna-
                According to Fox News Digital,
            Gabbard informed Trump of her de-                                   tional Trade, Maninder Sidhu. The two leaders issued direct mandates to their
                                                                                respective negotiating teams to ensure the pact delivers balanced economic
            cision during a meeting in the Oval                                 rewards.
            Office  today.  Her  resignation  will                                  “Held constructive bilateral discussions this morning in Ottawa with Can-
            take effect on June 30.                                             ada’s Minister of International Trade, Mr. Maninder Sidhu, on advancing the
                She further stated, “At this time,
            I must step away from public service                                India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
                                                                                negotiations. We provided clear guidance to our teams to work towards a bal-
            to be by his side and fully support him through this battle.”       anced, commercially meaningful and ambitious agreement that strengthens
                Gabbard thanked Trump for the opportunity to lead the Office of the
            Director of National Intelligence over the past year and a half and said she   economic partnerships and delivers tangible benefits to businesses and citi-
                                                                                zens of both countries,” Goyal said.
            would ensure a smooth transition before leaving office.
                “Thank you for your understanding during this deeply personal and diffi-  HEMANT M. PANDYA & NITA PEDNEKAR
            cult time for our family,” she wrote.
                During her tenure as DNI, Gabbard undertook efforts aimed at restruc-
            turing the intelligence community, including reducing the size of the agency  Filmmakers Represent Independent
            and dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes within the   Cinema at Cannes Film Festival
            intelligence apparatus.
                Gabbard also oversaw the declassification of more than half a million
            pages of government records related to matters including the Trump-Russia   annes: Independent filmmak-
                                                                                      ers  Hemant  M.  Pandya and
            investigation and the assassinations of former US President John F Kennedy   CNita Pednekar proudly rep-
            and Senator Robert F Kennedy.                                       resented Indian-American indepen-
                According to Fox News Digital, Gabbard also established a “Weaponisa-
            tion Working Group” to coordinate efforts across federal agencies regarding   dent  cinema  at  the  prestigious  79th
                                                                                Cannes Film Festival 2026, where
            alleged misuse of government institutions during the Biden administration.  both attended as officially accredited
                The report further said that under Gabbard’s leadership, the National
            Counterterrorism Centre prevented over 10,000 individuals with alleged links   and invited film industry delegates.
                                                                                    Representing  the  New  Jersey
            to narco-terrorism from entering the United States in 2025 and added more   Indian & International Film Festival
            than 85,000 such individuals to the terror watchlist.
                                                                                (NJIIFF) & Friday Films LLC, the
                                    PIYUSH GOYAL                                duo participated in world premieres,
                                                                                gala screenings, industry networking
                Minister meets Canadian Prime                                   events, and international collabo-
                                                                                ration meetings during one of the
                Minister Carney to expand trade                                 world’s most celebrated cinematic gatherings.
                                                                                    For Hemant M. Pandya, founder of New Jersey Indian and Internation-
                                                                                al Film Festival (NJIIFF) and Friday Films, and filmmaker Nita Pednekar,
                   ttawa: India and Canada                                      Cannes was far more than a red carpet experience. “For true filmmakers,
                   fast-tracked negotiations for
            Oan early conclusion of the                                         Cannes is ultimately about cinema, storytelling, and global artistic exchange,”
                                                                                said Pandya. “The red carpet is an added privilege, but the real inspiration
            Comprehensive Economic Partner-                                     comes from witnessing extraordinary films and connecting with filmmakers
            ship Agreement (CEPA) during a                                      from across the world.”
            series of high-level bilateral meetings                                 The  filmmakers  praised  the  exceptional  organization,  hospitality,  and
            in Ottawa, aiming to expand trade,                                  management of the festival, which hosted more than 25,000 attendees from
            investment, and technology linkages                                 around  the  globe  while  maintaining  remarkable  efficiency  and  elegance
            between the two nations.                                            throughout the city of Cannes.
                Union Minister of Commerce
                                                                                    This year’s Cannes lineup showcased a diverse range of films, cultures,
            and Industry Piyush Goyal met with                                  and  storytelling  voices.  Both  filmmakers  were  particularly  inspired  by  the
            Canadian Prime Minister Mark Car-                                   strong presence of independent cinema and socially driven narratives. Nepal’s
            ney and senior cabinet ministers to review progress on the free trade pact and   internationally acclaimed film Elephants in the Fog and India’s Shadows of
            map out deeper cooperation across key economic sectors, during his three-  the Moonless Nights (Parchave Masseah Rataan De) stood out as examples
            day visit to Canada.                                                of how honest storytelling continues to resonate globally beyond budgets or
                The diplomatic engagements highlighted a mutual commitment to
            strengthening the bilateral partnership. During his meeting with the Canadian   commercial scale.
                                                                                    Pandya and Pednekar also actively participated in events at the Bharat
            Prime Minister, Goyal discussed the evolving economic ties.         Pavilion, which served as a vibrant platform for Indian filmmakers, produc-
                “Fondly recalled his recent visit to India, which has imparted fresh mo-
            mentum and renewed confidence to the India-Canada partnership. We had   ers, actors, film festivals, and international collaborators. The Pavilion hosted
                                                                                networking sessions, co-production discussions, and conversations about the
            forward-looking discussions on further deepening bilateral cooperation and   future of Indian cinema on the world stage.
            expressed optimism towards the early conclusion of the India-Canada Com-  At Cannes, the filmmakers also introduced their upcoming international
            prehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which would unlock   projects. Hemant M. Pandya and Nita Pednekar continue to develop globally
            new avenues of growth and prosperity for both nations,” Goyal said on X.  relevant independent film projects through Friday Films LLC while promot-
                Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also confirmed the acceleration
            of the trade talks, framing the proposed agreement as a “game changer for   ing meaningful cinema and cultural exchange through the New Jersey Indian
                                                                                & International Film Festival.
            Canadian workers and businesses”.
                “We’re negotiating a free trade deal with India. This will be a game chang-
            er for Canadian workers and businesses -- unlocking a massive new market.   To read more about Indian diaspora and Global Indians, log on to and follow
            We’re working fast -- I met Minister @PiyushGoyal to review our progress so           our website www.TheIndianEYE.com

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