NEW YORK: In a move that has further strained relations between Canada and India, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an active investigation into a potential connection between the Indian government and the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The tensions stem from Canada’s substantial Sikh population, which has been at the center of protests that have caught the attention of Indian authorities.
Key developments and incidents contributing to the frayed Canada-India relationship include:
September 2023: Canada’s Trade Minister Mary Ng postponed a scheduled trade mission to India, initially set for October. The move came after both nations had expressed intentions to finalize an initial trade agreement this year. Bilateral commercial relations are valued at $100 billion, with $70 billion in Canadian portfolio investments in India, according to Indian figures.
September 2023: During the G20 summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed significant concerns to Trudeau about protests in Canada targeting India.
June 2023: India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, criticized Canada for permitting a parade float depicting the 1984 assassination of then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by Sikh bodyguards. This portrayal was seen as glorifying violence by Sikh separatists.
March 2023: India summoned Canada’s High Commissioner to voice concerns over pro-Khalistan protesters in Canada who breached security at India’s diplomatic mission and consulates.
Central to these tensions is the Sikh separatist movement, which led to a violent insurgency in India during the 1980s and 1990s. Sikh militants were held responsible for the 1985 bombing of an Air India Boeing 747 en route from Canada to India, resulting in the deaths of all 329 passengers.
Modi’s government has faced criticism for allegedly suppressing dissent using sedition laws and other legal tactics. The arrest of some critics has raised accusations of intimidation.
Trudeau disclosed that during the G20 meeting in New Delhi, he discussed Nijjar’s murder with Modi and stressed that any involvement of the Indian government would be unacceptable. Trudeau called for cooperation in the investigation, prompting Modi to express “strong concerns” over Canada’s handling of the Sikh independence movement.
India’s statement urged Canada to collaborate in addressing what New Delhi sees as a threat to the Indian diaspora and accused the Sikh movement of “promoting secessionism and inciting violence” against Indian diplomats.
Earlier this year, Sikh protesters made headlines by removing the Indian flag at India’s high commission in London and engaging in clashes with consulate workers in San Francisco. Despite Canada’s claim of potential Indian involvement in Nijjar’s murder, the British government stated that there were no plans to reopen an investigation into the death of U.K.-based Sikh activist Avtar Singh Khanda.
These allegations create an awkward situation for the U.K., a close ally of Canada, and a member of the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance alongside the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, the U.K. is actively pursuing a free trade agreement with India.
As the investigation unfolds, both nations navigate a complex diplomatic terrain with far-reaching implications for their relationship and international alliances.
