The diplomatic rift between India and Canada has deepened since September 2023, when Mr. Trudeau informed the Canadian Parliament that Indian agents were implicated in the murder of Canadian citizen and pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which took place in June 2022.
During a press conference held in Ottawa on Monday, Mr. Trudeau, alongside Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, reiterated that the violence attributed to Indian government agents was still ongoing. They explained that the Canadian government took decisive diplomatic action after India failed to cooperate in addressing these violent activities. The expulsion of the diplomats, they argued, was a necessary step to disrupt the pattern of violence.
According to Mr. Trudeau, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had attempted to engage with Indian authorities as recently as the previous week, but India had dismissed their efforts. This rejection, he said, forced Canada to take action by expelling the Indian diplomats. Ms. Joly added that active Indian diplomats were allegedly involved in the violent incidents, which had escalated since Mr. Trudeau’s initial accusations last year regarding India’s involvement in Nijjar’s assassination.
In a sharp rebuke, Mr. Trudeau accused the Indian government of making a grave mistake by assuming it could conduct “murders, extortion, or other violent acts” against Canadian citizens within Canadian borders without facing consequences. He emphasized that the Canadian government could not tolerate such actions on its soil.
India’s response to these serious allegations, according to Mr. Trudeau, has been one of denial, evasion, and personal attacks against him, along with questioning the credibility of Canadian officials and law enforcement. Since the initial accusations related to Nijjar’s killing, Mr. Trudeau said, India had consistently refused to address the issue constructively.
During his remarks, Mr. Trudeau also disclosed that he had underscored the significance of ongoing discussions between the countries’ national security advisors when he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Laos the previous week. He highlighted how crucial this dialogue was, especially given that India and Canada’s national security advisers, Ajit Doval and Nathalie Drouin, had met in Singapore on October 12 to discuss these tensions.
“Canada fully respects India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we expect the Indian government to extend the same respect to Canada,” Mr. Trudeau declared. However, he acknowledged that New Delhi holds a differing view on the situation. Indian officials have repeatedly accused Canada of allowing secessionist activity on its soil, blaming domestic political pressures and what they describe as Canada’s permissive stance toward Khalistan-related activism. According to India, this approach has led to a climate in Canada that is favorable to anti-India movements.
When pressed for further details regarding the number of homicides allegedly orchestrated by Indian agents, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc refrained from providing specific figures. He stated that it would be premature to disclose such details, as investigations led by the RCMP were still ongoing.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, for her part, revealed that she had been in communication with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar earlier that day. She confirmed that Canada would continue to request India’s cooperation in addressing these allegations and working towards a resolution. She also mentioned that she had consulted with Canada’s partners in the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence alliance regarding the situation, signaling that the matter has international implications.
The tensions between the two countries have now reached a critical juncture. Canada’s accusations that Indian diplomats are directly involved in violent activities on Canadian soil mark a serious escalation, and the lack of cooperation from India has only deepened the diplomatic rift. Trudeau’s government seems to be seeking a resolution through dialogue, but it is clear that the stakes are high, especially with the backdrop of international intelligence-sharing partnerships, which may become involved if the situation deteriorates further.
Despite these challenges, Canada continues to emphasize its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting its citizens from foreign interference. Trudeau’s remarks suggest that while diplomatic efforts will continue, Canada will not hesitate to take further action if necessary to safeguard its national security.
India, on the other hand, remains firm in its stance, criticizing what it perceives as political motives behind Canada’s handling of the issue. New Delhi has repeatedly accused Canada of creating an environment that allows pro-Khalistan movements to flourish, further complicating diplomatic relations.
The unfolding situation underscores the fragility of Canada-India relations, with both countries holding entrenched positions on matters related to national security and political autonomy. It remains to be seen how this diplomatic crisis will evolve, but the expulsion of diplomats and the allegations of serious crimes such as extortion and homicide suggest that the path to resolution will be neither quick nor easy. Both governments must navigate complex political landscapes if they are to resolve these issues without further damaging their relationship.
