In a recent development, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has raised the contentious India-Canada diplomatic dispute during a conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed. He emphasized the paramount significance of upholding and respecting the principles of the rule of law.
This statement from Trudeau comes as a fresh provocation in the ongoing diplomatic crisis between India and Canada, triggered by the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Beyond addressing the India-Canada discord, Trudeau also seized the opportunity to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Taking to social media, Trudeau shared insights from his conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed: "On the phone today, His Highness @MohamedBinZayed and I spoke about the current situation in Israel. We expressed our deep concern and discussed the need to protect civilian life. We also spoke about India and the importance of upholding—and respecting—the rule of law."
Earlier last week, Trudeau had similarly raised the India-Canada dispute during a discussion with his UK counterpart, Rishi Sunak. Sunak expressed his hope for a de-escalation of the situation, emphasizing the UK's commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada escalated on September 18 when Trudeau announced that his government was actively pursuing credible allegations connecting Indian government agents to the murder of Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India firmly rejected these allegations, deeming them absurd and motivated.
Najjar was fatally shot by unidentified assailants outside a gurdwara in Surrey, a Canadian province in British Columbia. In response to Canada's expulsion of an Indian official, India suspended visa services for Canadian nationals and expelled a Canadian diplomat.
Amidst these escalating tensions, Canada has relocated a significant portion of its diplomats in India to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, reportedly in response to New Delhi's request to reduce its diplomatic staff.
Furthermore, India has urged Canada to withdraw approximately 40 diplomats by October 10, with a potential threat to strip the diplomatic immunity of Canadian diplomats if they remain in the country beyond the stated deadline. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, cited the need for parity in diplomatic presence given the substantial difference in diplomatic representation between the two countries and Canada's perceived interference in India's internal affairs.
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