In a marked escalation of a diplomatic row, India has formally asked Canada to withdraw around 40 of its diplomatic staff from Indian soil, a move that could have far-reaching consequences.
The issue lies in a strict condition imposed by India: any Canadian diplomatic personnel who remain in India after October 10 will lose their diplomatic immunity, according to the BBC.
This recent rift has its origins in accusations made by Canada last month, suggesting that India may have been involved in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil. India has vehemently denied any involvement in the incident.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the escalating situation and stated that he had no intention of further exacerbating tensions with India. He highlighted Canada’s “commitment” to engaging with the Indian government in a responsible and constructive manner.
India and Canada, the dispute in summary
Tensions between the two traditionally friendly nations flared when, in September, Prime Minister Trudeau suggested that India may have played a role in the June 18 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.
Nijjar was shot and killed by two masked assailants while he was in his vehicle outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia. India had previously designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
Trudeau informed the Canadian parliament that intelligence agencies were investigating the possible involvement of “agents of the government of India” in Nijjar’s murder. Although India denies these allegations, its Foreign Ministry expressed its willingness to review any specific information provided by Canada.
As a result of this dispute, both nations have expelled one diplomat each from the other’s diplomatic mission.
On September 21, India stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens, citing “security threats” to its missions in Canada. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi highlighted India’s desire for “parity in rank and diplomatic strength” between the diplomatic missions of the two countries, attributing this request to perceived Canadian interference in India’s internal affairs. .
In response to rising tensions, Canada announced a reduction of its diplomatic presence in India, citing threats received by some diplomats through social media.
A statement from the Canadian government underlined its commitment to ensuring the safety of its diplomats amid the current environment of increasing tension, according to the BBC.
Canada continues to provide visa services to Indian applicants and this development has also attracted international attention. The United States, United Kingdom and Australia have collectively urged India to cooperate with Canada’s ongoing investigation.
This diplomatic standoff has its roots in India’s strong reactions to the demands of Sikh separatists in Western countries, particularly those advocating Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a strong supporter of the Khalistan movement, which, in the 1980s, witnessed a violent insurgency centered mainly in the Sikh-majority Indian state of Punjab before being put down by force.
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° Why did India suspend visa services for Canadian citizens?