A longstanding diplomatic dispute between India and Canada has flared up again, with both nations announcing the expulsion of diplomats.
Relations between New Delhi and Ottawa hit new lows last year after the Canadian government said it was investigating a link between Indian government agents and the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil.
New Delhi has denied any involvement in Nijjar’s killing, reiterating on Monday, October 14, 2024, that it strongly rejected the “preposterous imputations” from Canada and would be withdrawing its diplomats and other officials from the country.
The latest row began on Monday when India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it had received “diplomatic communication” from Canada indicating that Indian diplomats were being considered “persons of interest” in relation to an investigation in the North American country.
However, hours later, the Canadian government said federal police had uncovered evidence that Indian agents were involved in activities that threaten public safety in Canada and it said it was expelling six Indian diplomats.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the head of the Royal Canadian Mounted police (RCMP), Commissioner Mike Duheme said the force had evidence of “agents” acting on behalf of the Indian government engaging in extortion, intimidation, coercion and harassment.
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said that the government now has “clear and compelling evidence” that agents of the government of India have engaged in, and continue to engage in, activities that pose a significant threat to public safety.
He added that these activities involved clandestine information gathering techniques, coercive behaviour, targeting South Asian Canadians and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder.
“We will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign government threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil. India has made a monumental mistake in choosing to use their diplomats and organised crime to attack Canadians.” trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly disclosed that the decision to expel the Indian officials was made with great consideration and only after the RCMP gathered ample, clear and concrete evidence which identified six individuals as persons of interest in the Nijjar case.
She said India was asked to waive diplomatic and consular immunity and cooperate in the investigation but refused to cooperate. “Regrettably, as India did not agree, and given the ongoing public safety concerns for Canadians, Canada served notices of expulsion to these individuals,” Joly said.
She asked that India’s government support the ongoing investigation “as it remains in both our countries’ interest to get to the bottom of this.”
India’s foreign ministry strongly rejected the allegations against its diplomats and said they were “ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt.”
Contrary to the RCMP’s statements, the Indian ministry spokesperson claimed Canada “has not shared a shred of evidence” with the Indian government, “despite many requests from our side.” “This leaves little doubt that on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains,” the Indian ministry said.
Then, in a retaliatory move, the ministry announced that it was expelling six Canadian diplomats from India, including the acting high commissioner, and was giving them until the end of the day on October 19 to leave India.
Canada In A Difficult Position
Stephanie Carvin, a political analyst and professor at Carleton University in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, said that the latest accusations by Canada were “very serious” and risked further hampering relations with India. “That puts Canada in a difficult position,” she said.
“We’re in a time where we see countries around the world – the European Union, the United States, Australia … trying to develop their relations with India. This kind of puts us offside all of the other allies that we have.”
Stephanie Carvin
Practically, Carvin also noted that Canada is home to a sizeable South Asian population and a large number of Indian students study in the country as well. “These Indian [nationals], they do need consular services, they need diplomatic representation in this country,” she said.
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