India’s territorial integrity must be respected, says Canada

The statement was meant to clarify Ottawa’s position on the stance of Khalistanis, many of whom are Canadian citizens, an issue on which India has expressed concerns several times over the past few years. He said, “Nonetheless, there are advocates for a Khalistani homeland in different countries, including in Canada.”

“Canada and India are partners going back many decades. India is an increasingly significant global player and Canada is taking account of that in its policies,” he said.

He noted that there was an “upswing in the ties” till the G20 Summit in September 2023, and the two nations were also working on a foreign trade agreement. However, the assassination of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on Canadian soil “set in train a series of events culminating in the expulsion of 41 diplomats”.

While admitting that the ties are in a “complicated place”, Morrison said the two countries have channels of communication open and are continuing to talk.

In September 2023, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made a statement in the House of Commons about the “potential involvement” of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. India rejected Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expressed concern over Canada becoming a hub of pro-Khalistan Sikhs.

Bilateral ties plummeted following the row and trade talks between the two nations derailed. Canada arrested four Indian nationals in the course of their investigations into the Nijjar case.

After Lok Sabha polls in June this year, Trudeau, while congratulating PM Narendra Modi on his re-election, had said talks with India can now resume on “some very serious issues around national security and keeping Canadians safe and the rule of law”.

In June this year, the Canadian Parliament had observed a moment of silence in the memory of Nijjar. India had responded with a memorial service in Vancouver to pay tribute to the 329 victims of the Air India flight bombed by Khalistani terrorists in 1985.

On September 7, 2023, Canada established a Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, focusing on India, China, Russia and other foreign actors. The final report of the inquiry is to be submitted by December 31 this year.