India has diplomatically downgraded their relations with Canada by recalling its High Commissioner further deepening the rift between the two. This follows the animosity that has built since the June 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India has bluntly countered allegations by Canada that its agents played a role in exiled Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder.
The Diplomatic Dispute
Things got worse between the two countries when Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government officials of being directly linked to the assassination of Nijjar. These allegations angered India, which described the allegations as ‘ludicrous’ and demanded that Canada take appropriate measures against the impacts of antisocial forces working against India. Furthermore, India has always repeated that concerns over Canada becoming a safe country for the Khalistani sections of society calling for a separate Sikh nation are valid.
Deterioration of relations was also marked by expulsion of diplomats of both countries from embassies situated in each other. On the other hand, Trudeau’s accusations have evoked universal condemnation in India, the officials that Tsez and Sharma interviewed say, as looking politically motivated to support certain internal communities ahead of the elections in Canada.
As the saga continues, India has ordered its High Commissioner to return to Canada and has considerably decreased the number of its diplomats in the territory and relations with Canadian diplomats over these countries have plummeted. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed that 41 from Canada’s overseas missions were also recalled due to the dispute with India. The breakdown of normal relations has touched many areas, including economics and the movement of people.
It is clear that Canada was not ready on its part, as it was ready to talk, trade agreements which were elaborated with, concretely and boldly set forth on papers with India were very grossly mired by present politics. Also, Canadian citizens were barred from utilizing Indian consulates for visa issues in the month of September this year, which further strained travel and business relations between the two countries.
The recall of the envoy of India is the reason for escalating tensions between these two sovereign states. This deadlock in diplomacy also threatens further setbacks in commerce as it is known that India is the 10th trading partner of Canada. Besides, it would target the considerable Indian community based in Canada with about 1.4 million people of Indian origin.
India has also voiced its concerns about the fact that Canada has not done anything about restraining the activities of Sikh terrorist organisations who work against India. Also Indian authorities are worried by the fact that Funds collecting supporting Khalistan groups are being done on the territory of Canada.
While both countries have expressed a desire for dialogue, there has been little sign of de-escalation. Experts are concerned that the ongoing standoff could lead to a prolonged diplomatic freeze. Trudeau has reiterated Canada’s stance on continuing its investigation into Nijjar’s murder, while India insists that it had no role in the incident. The situation remains delicate, and the possibility of further actions from both sides cannot be ruled out.
As both nations await a diplomatic resolution, this latest withdrawal marks a low point in India-Canada relations, which have been increasingly defined by mutual suspicion and tension. Observers hope that renewed diplomatic channels can eventually pave the way for de-escalation.
