DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS BETWEEN CANADA AND INDIA

By Edwin -


In June 2023, a Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was killed by gunmen in Surrey, British Columbia. India accused Canada of being complicit in Nijjar's murder, and alleged that he had been killed by Khalistani extremists. Canada denied these allegations. Hardeep Singh was an activist who was calling for separate homeland for sikhs and Canada is a home for the Worlds largest sikh community outside of India.



Following the killing, Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau stood in the parliament and said there was a "credible allegation linking Indian government to the killing  " to the lives of Indians in Canada. He also urged India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation into Nijjar's murder.

While the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi also accused Canada of harbouring separatist activists. Indian has gone further in refusing to cooperate with the Canadian investigation, and has accused Canada of being biased against India. India has also retaliated against Canada by expelling a Canadian diplomat and issuing a travel advisory for Indians traveling to Canada.

Can this tension be contained?

Canada has a large Indian diaspora, and the two countries have traditionally had close ties. However, relations have been strained in recent years, due to a number of factors, including Canada's decision to grant asylum to Sikh separatists, India's concerns about Khalistani terrorism in Canada, and Canada's criticism of India's human rights record. The diplomatic tensions between Canada and India have had a negative impact on relations between the two countries. The Indian government has suspended trade talks with Canada, and has also canceled a visit by Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly to India.

The tensions have also had a negative impact on the Indian diaspora in Canada. Some Indians in Canada have reported feeling unsafe, and there have been some reports of hate crimes against Indians.

The outlook for Canada-India relations is uncertain. The two countries have a number of important ties, including economic, cultural, and security ties. However, the diplomatic tensions are likely to continue until the two countries can resolve their differences, and some possible ways include;-



There are a number of possible solutions to the diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. One solution is for the two countries to cooperate in the investigation into Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder. Another solution is for the two countries to hold talks to address their differences on issues such as terrorism and human rights.

It is also important for both sides to avoid rhetoric that could further escalate the tensions. Canada and India are both important countries, and they should work together to build a strong and productive relationship.


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