In the latest exchange of diplomatic barbs, India has taken Canada to task over its recent allegations that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah supported anti-Khalistan activities, which further heightens the diplomatic friction between the two nations. This diplomatic spat erupted after Canada alleged involvement of India in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist leader, an accusation that India denies and rebuts with its grievances.
Rising Tensions and Diplomatic Stand-off
The Indian government on Thursday summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to express a formal protest, decrying Canada’s allegations regarding Amit Shah as “baseless and inflammatory.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India conveyed that the allegations are without any factual basis and seek to damage India’s sovereignty and international relations. Speaking on behalf of MEA, Arindam Bagchi condemned the allegations, reiterating that India would continue to abide by its internal and external security policy in complete respect for the sovereignty of other nations.
For its part, Canada continues to fend off challenges to this position, asserting it has credible evidence linking Indian operatives to the murder of Nijjar, which it has not, however, yet put into the public record. Trudeau’s administration in Canada has been resolute in its assertion that it has the right to pursue an investigation into the incident, which allegedly took place in Vancouver, but the evidence that has not been produced still holds for some in Canada.
Background of the Conflict
India-Canada relations have come under increasing strain since September, when Trudeau accused India of being responsible for the death of Nijjar. For Canada, its frequent support for Sikh separatists, including Nijjar, has always been an area of contention. It has long been a point of contention that Canada has become increasingly permissive in its support for Sikh separatists such as Nijjar, a Khalistani leader agitating for an independent Sikh state in the Punjab region of India. After chiefly remaining quiescent throughout the 1980s, the Khalistani movement has again piqued the interest of the Canadian Sikh diaspora. Oxford has urged Ottawa to take decisive action against this group, asserting that the foreign country must protect the rights of others.
New Delhi has cited several occasions where Canada failed to rein in the extremism exercised by pro-Khalistani groups, which India believes operate under the guise of political activism. Indian officials argue that such organizations promote hate speech and violent protests, even going to the extent of violence against Indian diplomats in Canada, thereby further aggravating tensions. Canadian authorities too have allowed pro-Khalistani protests, spurring further allegations that Canada is condoning an environment where anti-India sentiment can flourish.
Impact on Diplomatic Relations and Possible Consequences
Now, a game of tit for tat has ensued, with diplomatic representatives being called back from their gigantic capitals. Recently, diplomatic staff were cut short by up to 40 of each other’s diplomatic personnel in a move cited by Canada to be based on safety concerns due to growing political pressures, leading Canada to recall its diplomats en masse from India. There is growing concern among observers about an evolving diplomatic spat hurting larger trade and tourism between both nations.
The deployment has also raised concerns within the Sikh community in Canada, which contains one of the largest Indian and non-Indian communities. Many within the diaspora have expressed their wish for de-escalation through peaceful negotiation, fearing that escalation could lead to heightened immigration and security measures on both sides.
