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Journalism of Courage
India-Canada ties have hit a new low with the tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats amid a row over the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. After hosting the G-20 Summit successfully, eyes are keen on the nosedive of the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Here are the key developments in the case and highlights from our in-depth reportage.
A visit by the National Investigation Agency team to the North-American country was scheduled next month as part of the probe into the attack on the Indian High Commission. However, amid the row, the NIA is learnt to have planned to postpone the visit. During a meeting held by the central agency's team, the officials are learnt to have discussed the procedure to get Canada-based designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill of KTF extradited.
As the matter escalated with India expelling Canadian diplomat, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remarked “not looking to provoke or escalate” the tension between the two countries, but pressed New Delhi to deal the issue with “utmost seriousness”. “The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that, we are not looking to provoke or escalate,” Trudeau told reporters, news agency Reuters reported. The Candian government on Tuesday cautioned citizens travelling to India and issued a travel advisory due to “threat of terrorist attack throughout the country”.
Canada hosts one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, numbering 16 lakh people of Indian origin. The country's trade link, pension fund investment in India is remarkable. However, the Khalistan issue has plagued bilateral ties from the 1980s to the last eight years of Trudeau's term. Trudeau has asked India to co-operate in the probe. The Indian statement is silent on this, signalling that India is not willing to play ball at this point. Significantly, Canada has not shared any details of the evidence it has indicating that it will do so “in due course”.
Canada-one of the G7 countries-is part of the Five Eyes Alliance, an intelligence-sharing grouping of US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. So far, Trudeau has chosen to sound out US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak — both Five Eyes partners. Spotlight will be on Trudeau's visit to New York and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly meeting her G7 counterparts as part of the UNGA. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also headed to New York.
In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson was quoted by AP saying, “We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau. We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canada’s investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice.”
A UK government spokesperson, when contacted by The Indian Express, said, “We are in close touch with our Canadian partners about these serious allegations. It would be inappropriate to comment further during the ongoing investigation by the Canadian authorities.” Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson was quoted by Reuters as saying that Trudeau’s remarks didn’t get in the way of India-UK trade talks.
A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, “Australia is deeply concerned by these allegations and notes ongoing investigations into this matter. We are closely engaged with partners on developments. We have conveyed our concerns at senior levels to India.”
During the G-20 Summit, India expressed “strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada”. In February 2018, Trudeau’s week-long trip to India had turned troublesome after it was revealed that Jaspal Atwal — a former member of the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), a pro-Khalistan outfit that was banned in Canada and designated a terrorist organisation in 2003 – was invited to two events organised for Trudeau, in Mumbai and Delhi.
In December 2020, Trudeau expressed support for the farmers protesting against the controversial farm Bills. India responded sharply against the “ill-informed comments” on the “internal affairs of a democratic country”. In February-March this year, India lodged a protest with Canada over actions of “separatist and extremist elements” against Indian diplomatic missions and consulates.
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