Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has emphasized that his government is not seeking to escalate tensions with India. His comments came in response to reports that India had requested more than 40 diplomats to leave the country.
Trudeau stated, “Canada is not looking to escalate the situation with India. We will continue to engage responsibly and constructively with New Delhi. We want to be on the ground in India to help Canadian families there,” according to Reuters.
Earlier on the same day, the Financial Times reported that India had called for the repatriation of 41 diplomats by October 10. Those who fail to comply with this request could have their diplomatic immunity revoked after the deadline.
However, Trudeau declined to confirm the reports of diplomats’ expulsion during his media address on Tuesday.
Tensions between Canada and India have been strained for several weeks following Trudeau’s assertion that there were “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen, was killed by masked gunmen in Surrey in June. Indian authorities vehemently denied the allegations, while Canada continued to stand by its claims.
As a result of this diplomatic dispute, both countries have expelled a senior diplomat each, and India has canceled visas for Canadians. Additionally, Trudeau had frosty encounters with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 meeting in New Delhi earlier this month. A few days later, Canada canceled a planned trade mission to India for the fall.
Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s murder were prompted by intelligence shared among the Five Eyes partners, according to a New York Times report citing sources. These allegations have put the Joe Biden-led U.S. government in a delicate diplomatic position, as U.S. officials are believed to have provided information to Canada about Nijjar’s death. While acknowledging the matter, U.S. officials have been cautious about assigning blame.
The diplomatic tensions between Canada and India remain a sensitive issue, with the potential for further escalation if not managed carefully. Both countries have expressed a desire for responsible and constructive engagement to resolve their differences and maintain their diplomatic relations.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of Canada-India relations as both nations assess their positions and seek to find common ground while addressing the contentious issues that have strained their diplomatic ties.
