Trudeau’s announcement of “credible allegations” has led to a rift in bilateral ties with India
Ottawa:
Weeks before making explosive allegations implicating Indian officials in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian officials sought public condemnation of the killing from their allies, including the United States, but were met with reluctance, The Washington reports Post.
The same highlights the diplomatic challenges faced by the Biden administration and its allies in navigating relations with India, a crucial player in the region, the report said.
The alleged murder of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on June 18 sparked behind-the-scenes discussions among senior officials of the Five Eyes countries in the weeks leading up to the Group of 20’s September summit in New Delhi.
However, no public mention was made before the summit, which was seen as a major event for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to The Washington Post.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement of “credible allegations” in Parliament caused a significant rift in bilateral ties with India, resulting in the expulsion of an Indian diplomat in Ottawa, the report said.
“Canadian security services have been actively investigating credible allegations of a possible link between agents of the Indian government and the murder of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” Prime Minister Trudeau said on Monday.
However, New Delhi on Tuesday rejected Canada’s allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the head of the Khalistan Tiger Force and a designated ‘terrorist’.
In retaliation for the Trudeau government’s expulsion of an Indian diplomat, New Delhi ordered a Canadian envoy, believed to be spying for the country in India, to leave within five days, the Post said in its report.
While Trudeau insisted that Canada had no intention of provoking or escalating the situation, India has dismissed his accusation as “absurd and motivated,” shifting the focus to Khalistani terrorists and extremists harboring in Canada, The Washington reported Post.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: “We have seen and rejected the statement made by the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as well as the statement made by their Minister of Foreign Affairs. Allegations of Indian government involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated.”
Nijjar had been labeled a terrorist by security forces in 2020 and accused of supporting attacks in Punjab, the report said, adding that India sought his extradition in 2022 and linked him to the killing of a Hindu priest in Punjab the same year.
According to the report, India has put pressure on countries such as Canada, Australia, Britain and the United States, which have significant Sikh communities, to crack down on the Khalistan movement. Pro-Khalistan protests had taken place in London and San Francisco, causing tensions with the Indian government.
This diplomatic controversy is unfolding as Western countries seek to strengthen their geopolitical and trade partnerships with India while refraining from criticizing Prime Minister Modi’s authoritarian policies.
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, pointed out the dilemma facing Western governments. He recognized Canada as an ally, but valued their relationship with India as an important strategic partner.
According to The Washington Post, the G20 summit in India in September was marked by tension, with Trudeau sidelined and denied formal bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi. The Khalistan issue was discussed on the sidelines of the summit, further straining relations.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that Trudeau had raised the allegations with President Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and the topic was expected to be discussed at the UN General Assembly, The Washington Post reported.
In response, Washington expressed deep concern and stressed the importance of the Canadian investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Australia has also raised the issue with India at a higher level.
The allegations surrounding Nijjar’s murder have exacerbated the long-standing issue of Khalistan supporters in Canada, with potential implications for global geopolitics and foreign interference.
While the situation remains complex, it underlines the delicate balance that Western countries must maintain between their allies and their strategic partnerships in a rapidly evolving global space, according to The Washington Post.
