Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations that India was involved in the assassination of a pro-Khalistan leader in Canada have strained bilateral ties. Trudeau, who once called India a ‘trusted friend’, has now become the focus of much public anger in India. Mint investigates what went wrong.
The origins of Trudeau’s India policy
Trudeau took office after a landslide victory in 2015. He inherited a strong relationship with India, thanks in part to the efforts of his predecessor Stephen Harper. India and Canada signed a landmark nuclear cooperation deal during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada in 2015. During the 2015 elections, Trudeau’s Liberal Party called for closer trade ties with India in its election manifesto.
What happened after his election?
For a while, there were concerns that Trudeau’s government was taking it less seriously about continuing ties with India. The then high commissioner to India, Nadir Patel, had to allay concerns that the relationship had drifted. Trade deal negotiations, which began under the Harper government in 2010, were also thought to be in trouble. However, Trudeau made a high-profile visit to India in 2018. He announced an expansion of cooperation in counter-terrorism, energy and bilateral investments. However, the trip was marred by a number of events. The Canadian public fell out with senior politician Captain Amrinder Singh, and Trudeau’s refusal to meet with him was criticized. Jaspal Atwal, an extremist convicted in 1986 of attempting to assassinate an Indian minister, was invited to dinner at the Canadian High Commission during Trudeau’s visit. This caused outrage in India and the invitation for Atwal was hastily withdrawn.
Did that hurt the tires significantly?
In the years that followed, both parties intensified cooperation in some areas. Trade volumes grew and free trade agreement discussions gained momentum. India played a prominent role in Canada’s Indo-Pacific policy and both sides also discussed strengthening defense ties. But political tensions also increased. Trudeau’s comments on India’s agricultural law unrest in 2020 drew criticism from the Indian government.
What caused the latest crisis?
The year 2023 started well for India and Canada. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly visited India twice and spoke about the need for closer cooperation. But ties soon deteriorated, especially as the Khalistan issue resurfaced in bilateral ties. Attacks on temples and demonstrations at the Indian High Commission in Ottawa led to rising tensions between the two countries, as India accused Canada of not taking its concerns seriously. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar accused Canada of practicing “vote bank” politics, citing the substantial support Trudeau’s Liberal Party enjoys from Sikh Canadian voters. Matters got worse when Trudeau accused India of foreign interference in Canadian politics.
