The diplomatic rift between India and Canada continues to deepen as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, October 14, accused India of making a "fundamental error" in its alleged involvement in supporting criminal activities within Canada. Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa, Trudeau doubled down on his earlier claims that India was engaging in actions against Canadians on Canadian soil, including murder and extortion.
Trudeau emphasized the importance of the upcoming meeting between the National Security Advisors (NSA) of both countries, scheduled to take place in Singapore this weekend, in light of escalating tensions. ?The Indian government made a fundamental error in thinking that they could engage in supporting criminal activities against Canadians, here on Canadian soil, be it murder or extortion. This is absolutely unacceptable,? said Trudeau.
He further revealed that he had communicated with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the significance of the NSA meeting. ?When I spoke to PM Modi at the end of last week, I highlighted how incredibly important the meeting between our national security advisors in Singapore this weekend was going to be. He was aware of that meeting and I pressed upon him that the meeting needs to be taken very, very seriously,? Trudeau added.
Accompanied by Canadian Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister M?lanie Joly, Trudeau underscored that while Canada remains open to working with India, the onus now lies with New Delhi. ?We don?t want to be having this fight, but obviously, the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil is not something that we can ignore as a country,? he remarked.
The diplomatic conflict traces back to June 2023 when Trudeau, in a controversial statement in the Canadian Parliament, accused Indian "agents" of being involved in the killing of pro-Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has categorically denied these allegations, urging Canada to provide evidence, which New Delhi claims has yet to be presented.
Trudeau, however, countered this during the press conference, asserting, ?Every step of the way, we have apprised India of what we know. I?ve spoken directly with Prime Minister Modi. We have engaged with intelligence counterparts, and unfortunately, every step of the way, both after I made the statement in the House of Commons last September and till now, the response of the Indian government has been to deny, to obfuscate, to attack me personally and the integrity of the government of Canada and its officials and its police agencies.?
The relationship between India and Canada, already strained since Trudeau's initial claims, hit a new low when Canada recently sent diplomatic communication to India, naming Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma as a "person of interest" in a murder investigation. India responded strongly, rejecting the claims as "preposterous imputations" and accusing the Canadian government of pursuing a political agenda centered around vote-bank politics.
India?s Ministry of External Affairs issued a firm statement condemning Canada?s allegations, calling them part of a deliberate smear campaign. ?The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics,? the statement read.
Following this, India summoned Canada?s Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi, Stewart Wheeler, to express its discontent, labeling the accusations as "unacceptable." In retaliation, India withdrew six of its diplomats from Canada, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, and expelled six Canadian diplomats from India.
With tensions rising and diplomatic ties further fraying, the upcoming NSA meeting in Singapore could play a pivotal role in determining the future of India-Canada relations. However, with both sides entrenched in their positions, the path to resolution remains uncertain.
