India's diplomatic tensions with Canada have reached a boiling point, as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Canada’s Charge d'Affaires on Monday to lodge a formal protest against what it described as the "baseless targeting" of Indian diplomats, including its High Commissioner, in connection with the investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Indian government expressed deep displeasure at Canada’s accusations, which claimed that Indian officials were involved in the killing. India has repeatedly denied these allegations, labeling them as entirely unfounded, politically motivated, and part of a larger agenda aimed at appeasing certain factions within Canada.
During the meeting, the Indian side conveyed grave concerns about the security of its diplomatic personnel in Canada. The MEA pointed out that the "current atmosphere of extremism and violence" in Canada, spurred by separatist elements, presents a direct threat to the safety of Indian diplomats. It stressed that the Trudeau government's failure to address these security concerns has left India with no option but to recall its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, and other targeted diplomats from Canada. The Indian government’s decision is a clear indication of its growing frustration with Ottawa’s handling of the issue, particularly in light of what it perceives as the Canadian government's inadequate response to rising extremist activities on its soil.
The official MEA statement highlighted that India has lost faith in the Canadian government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its diplomats. "We have no faith in the current Canadian government’s ability to provide the necessary security measures for our diplomats, given the atmosphere of extremism and violence that has been allowed to flourish," the statement read. It also made it clear that India reserves the right to take further measures, should it continue to perceive Canadian support for extremist and separatist elements that pose a threat to India’s territorial integrity.
This latest development follows months of escalating diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa, which began in September 2023 when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused Indian government agents of involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent figure in the Khalistani separatist movement. Nijjar, who had long been an advocate for the creation of an independent Sikh state, was killed on Canadian soil in June 2023. Trudeau’s claims sparked outrage in India, which dismissed the allegations as "motivated and absurd." Since then, diplomatic ties have steadily deteriorated, with both countries exchanging sharp rhetoric and taking retaliatory actions.
India has consistently criticized Canada for failing to rein in the influence of Khalistani separatist groups operating within its borders, accusing the Trudeau government of pandering to extremist elements for political gain. The MEA has accused Canada of engaging in "vote bank politics," a reference to Trudeau’s perceived courting of certain segments of the Sikh diaspora in Canada, which is home to a significant number of Khalistani sympathizers. The Indian government has been particularly critical of Canada’s perceived leniency towards groups that promote violence and separatism and has repeatedly called on Ottawa to take stronger action against these elements.
Despite numerous requests, India asserts that Canada has not provided any credible evidence linking Indian officials to Nijjar's murder. Earlier in the day, India issued a firm rebuttal to the allegations, describing them as "preposterous imputations" aimed at tarnishing India’s reputation on the global stage. The MEA emphasized that it had sought clarification from the Canadian government on several occasions but had received no substantive response. This has further fueled India’s suspicions that the allegations are politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to undermine its standing.
The diplomatic standoff has raised concerns about the future of India-Canada relations, which have been on a downward trajectory since Trudeau’s initial accusations. Both countries have significant trade and economic ties, as well as a large Indian diaspora in Canada, but the growing rift threatens to undermine cooperation on a range of issues. The situation also underscores the broader challenges of managing the influence of separatist movements within the diaspora, which continue to create friction between the two governments.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Canada will respond to India’s decision to recall its diplomats and whether further retaliatory measures will follow. With both countries standing firm in their respective positions, the diplomatic impasse appears far from resolution, and the stakes are high for both nations in terms of their bilateral relationship and global reputations.
