Canada (Commonwealth Union) _ Tensions between Canada and India have escalated recently due to various factors, including concerns related to Sikh separatism, political interference accusations, and allegations of involvement in an assassination on Canadian soil. Historically, the Canada-India relationship has been driven by trade and the significant Indian diaspora in Canada. However, recent developments have strained their ties.
The relationship began to deteriorate when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed several Sikh ministers to his cabinet, raising concerns in India about sympathies toward Sikh separatism. The issue gained prominence when Sikh Canadians expressed support for the Khalistan movement, advocating for a Sikh homeland separate from India. Vandalism targeting India and referendums on Sikh independence further exacerbated tensions.
In 2018, Trudeau’s trip to India faced criticism for his delegation’s meeting with Jaspal Atwal, a Sikh man convicted of attempting to murder an Indian cabinet minister. Despite these issues, Canada and India had been strengthening their ties, driven by shared concerns about China and potential trade agreements.
However, recent months have seen a decline in relations. India expressed displeasure over Canada’s handling of Sikh separatist activities, which India believes is driven by domestic politics. In June, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh Canadian leader, was assassinated, leading to further strain.
In September, Canada halted trade negotiations with India, coinciding with growing Sikh activism in Canada and other countries. This activism has heightened India’s concerns while Canada, citing freedom of speech, has refrained from addressing them.
Trudeau’s accusations against India for involvement in Nijjar’s assassination have worsened the situation. The dispute will impact Canada’s global standing, as previous conflicts with China and Saudi Arabia have shown. The Biden administration is also closely monitoring the situation, as it seeks to maintain a close relationship with India to counter China’s influence.
The consequences of this dispute may include demands for retractions, diplomatic downgrades, and security reductions at embassies, making it challenging to return to normal relations anytime soon.
