The India-Canada stand-off took another downward turn, with New Delhi stepping up action against an allegation of killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil. Soon after downsizing the Canadian embassy staff, New Delhi stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens, calling it "a temporary move keeping in mind security threats". However, Canada's visa services remained open for Indians.
The relations between the two countries have hit a new low after Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, recently said national security agencies are investigating "credible allegations" that the "agents of the government of India" were involved in the 18th June killing of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He was shot dead in his vehicle by two masked gunmen outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia. India has responded, calling the charge "absurd and motivated".
Canada has over 1.4 million people of Indian origin, mostly Sikhs, while Indian students form 30 per cent (3,20,000) of the overseas students studying there. On the tourism front, around 80,000 Canadian tourists visited India as per the 2021 records.
The Indo-Canadian discord has been simmering in the background for over two decades, with India consistently pointing at Khalistani separatists and terrorists finding a safe haven in Canada and some other Western countries. Officials claim that repeated requests from the Indian security establishment to act against Khalistani terror has gone unheard. It is also claimed that there has been no help, even on a dossier released by India.
Ironically, the developments come quickly on the heels of the recently concluded G-20 summit in Delhi earlier this month. Although there was no Trudeau-Modi bilateral meeting scheduled at the summit, the two leaders briefly met along the sidelines. Counter-terrorism measures were the focus of Modi's discussions with European leaders there. Leaders pledged a joint crackdown on global terrorism and stated that "all safe havens for terror must be eliminated" worldwide.
The question is, what do resolutions recorded at such summits where world leaders take centre stage and grab global optics by pledging against terrorism mean when no country is willing to take note of extremists taking shelter in foreign countries? Are global leaders paying lip service and going through the motions, failing to live up to the charters drawn at summits? If not, why is India's plea at an international level not heard? And why is Canada not ready to walk the G-20 summit talk with India?
Sadly, Trudeau's charge of "credible allegation" against India lacks substance or evidence and appears to be taking ties on a downward spiral. No country will be willing to consider such unfounded charges.
India's swift reaction with countermeasures has conveyed a message loud and clear that it will not take these allegations lightly. However, given the high number of Indian families living in Canada and the student community, the strained ties would create an environment of unease and uncertainty. There is an unnecessary panic building up already.
The Modi government has made its intentions known. It must also exercise calculated restraint and ensure the situation does not escalate, causing further tension. Diplomatic engagement is an urgent need of the hour.
