Canada-India Relations in Extreme Tension
Kazi Abul Monsur#
The situation isn’t going well for Indians living in Canada. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have become severely strained. Both nations are involved in escalating disputes, expelling diplomats in a tit-for-tat manner, signaling that neither wants to be outdone. Amid this tension, the 300,000 Indian students studying in Canada are deeply concerned, while nearly 2 million residents of Indian origin await the resolution of this crisis.
The root of the current diplomatic tension between India and Canada lies in the Sikh separatist movement. The Sikh community holds significant influence in Canada. The tension escalated in September 2023, when Canada expelled an Indian diplomat, accusing him of being a senior member of India’s intelligence agency, RAW. In retaliation, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, calling it a “reciprocal” move. Behind all of this is the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani activist. Nijjar was killed in Canada in late 2023, with the Trudeau government accusing India’s involvement in the murder. India strongly protested this, but Canada stood firm, claiming that India’s intelligence agency was behind the plot. This marked the start of a deepening rift in India-Canada diplomatic relations.
The situation worsened when a report by The Washington Post implicated the Indian High Commissioner in Canada as a suspect in Nijjar’s murder. Canadian authorities alleged that the infamous gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang was used by India, and India’s intelligence agency, RAW, orchestrated the plan. It was indirectly suggested that BJP leader Amit Shah was involved. The Washington Post claimed that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) believed there were links between Indian agents and the Bishnoi gang, targeting Khalistani supporters.
On October 12, 2023, senior Canadian intelligence and foreign ministry officials reportedly held a secret meeting in Singapore with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Canada allegedly presented evidence of India’s involvement. Following this, Canada pointed fingers at Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, leading to more severe diplomatic confrontations. India retaliated by recalling several diplomats, including Verma, for security reasons, and expelled six Canadian diplomats, including acting High Commissioner Stuart Wheeler.
Reports suggest that Canada has a significant Sikh population, some of whom are vocal supporters of the Khalistan movement. India has always been opposed to the separatist ideas among the Sikh diaspora in Canada, often expressing concern. Various pro-Khalistan rallies and gatherings have taken place in Canada, which the Canadian government justifies as freedom of speech, as long as it remains lawful. However, the murder of Nijjar in 2023 and Canada’s allegations of India’s involvement further deepened the diplomatic rift.
India responded by suspending visa services for Canadians, advising its citizens to be cautious while traveling to Canada. India also demanded that Canada reduce its diplomatic presence in India, citing an imbalance between the number of Canadian diplomats in India and Indian diplomats in Canada. Although Canada agreed to this demand, it further strained bilateral ties, affecting trade discussions, security cooperation, and other areas of collaboration. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has requested India’s cooperation in investigating Nijjar’s murder. Although diplomatic relations have not been completely severed, the situation remains tense.
The international community has called for a peaceful resolution between the two countries. Many nations see the need for normalizing India-Canada relations due to the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region. Moreover, India and Canada have long-standing economic ties, especially in trade, education, and immigration. According to the 2021 census, approximately 1.9 million people of Indian origin live in Canada, making up about 5.1% of the total population. These Indian expatriates play a vital role in Canada’s economy, culture, and society, with many involved in education, professions, and business sectors. The number of Indian students in Canada has been increasing, with over 300,000 Indian students studying there in 2023.
The ongoing diplomatic crisis between India and Canada has deeply worried the Indian community, particularly those involved in education and immigration. The suspension of visa services has complicated the visa application process for those intending to study in Canada. Students already in Canada fear further diplomatic tensions may affect their future residency plans. The opportunities for permanent residency might be limited, and obtaining visas for travel and business could become difficult. Additionally, the diplomatic fallout may severely impact trade relations between the two countries, potentially leading Indian companies to reduce investments in Canada and Canadian firms to distance themselves from India.