Quick glance:
- India-Canada relations are at an all-time low.
- India issued a travel advisory to its citizens to avoid travel to Canada.
- Before it, an Indian diplomat was expelled by the Canadian government.
- In retaliation, India also expelled a top Canadian diplomat.
- The Canadian government postponed Canada’s trade mission.
Canada PM Justin Trudeau Accused India For Nijjar’s Assassination:
India issued a travel advisory to its citizens to avoid travel to Canada and also warned Indian students in Canada to be cautious due to the anti-India activities.
The Canada PM, Justin Trudeau, expelled a top Indian diplomat. India-Canada relations are at an all-time low. The reason for this decision is that the Canadian government alleged an Indian diplomat in the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He was declared a terrorist by the Indian government in 2020.
Hardeep Singh was killed on June 18, 2022, at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, a city in British Columbia province, in his truck by some anonymous attackers.
Justin Trudeau, in his speech in the Parliament of Canada, said “Over the past number of weeks, Canadian security agencies have been pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Indian government and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.”
He further said, “Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is unacceptable. I continue to urge the Indian government to cooperate with Canada to get to the bottom of this matter.”
The Canadian government also postponed the trade mission to India indefinitely. The objective of this trade mission was to establish a free trade agreement between India and Canada.
India’s stance on the allegations:
In retaliation to Canada’s decision, the Indian government also expelled a top Canadian diplomat and asked him to leave the country within 5 days. India also rejected the allegations and said that this decision is absurd and motivated.
What is the Khalistan issue?
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was demanding a separate Sikh state called Khalistan. He was also a member of a separate organization called Sikh for Justice. The founder of this organization is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
How tension rises between India and Canada?
These tensions can also be seen during Justin Trudeau’s visit to the G20 summit. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Justin
The Indian PM held bilateral meetings with various world leaders, but they weren’t held with Canada.
Justin Trudeau’s departure was extended for two days after the G20 summit due to a technical issue in his aircraft. Then India offered Air India 1 aircraft for flying back home, but Turudeau rejected this offer.
It is to be noted that the Justin Trudeau government is supported by the NDA party, whose leader is Jagmeet Singh, who can be seen speaking in favor of Khalistan. He was also declined a visa to India by the Indian government.
Reaction of India
The Mumbai concert Still Rollin of Punjabi singer Shupneet Singh, aka Shubh, has been canceled amid India-Canada tensions. He was alleged to support Khalistan.
In March 2023, he posted a distorted map of India on Instagram in which Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and North Indian states were missing. However, after backlash, he removed the post. He posted the post when the police were trying to arrest Amritpal and his supporters.
Indian Diaspora in Canada:
The largest share of the Indian diaspora resides in Canada. The share of Indian-origin people in Canada’s population is about 3%. The total number of students in Canada will be 300,000 in 2023. A large number of Punjabis migrate to Canada every year in search of education and job opportunities.
India-Canada Trade:
The total bilateral trade between India and Canada was about US$10 billion during 2022–2023. India’s total export to Canada was $6 billion, while Canada’s total export to India was $4 billion. India is the 10th largest trading partner for Canada.
Reaction of Canada:
The leader of the opposition party, Pierre Poilievre, asked the Canadian Prime Minister to provide evidence on his allegations about India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In the end, we can say that both countries sit together to resolve their conflicts.
Who is Pavan Kumar Rai?
Pavan Kumar Rai was a top Indian diplomat in Canada.
Why did Canada expel an Indian diplomat?
An Indian diplomat was expelled by the Canadian government over a possible link between Indian agents and the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
