Diplomatic tensions escalate between India and Canada over Sikh Leader’s assassination allegations

October 15, 2024, 10:20:11 AM |

KATHMANDU: The ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada has escalated in recent weeks, with both nations exchanging allegations that have strained bilateral ties. The confrontation was triggered by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s explosive claim that India was potentially involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader who was shot dead in British Columbia in June 2023.

India, vehemently denying the accusations, condemned Trudeau’s comments as “absurd” and “politically motivated,” calling them an attempt to divert attention from the growing influence of extremist elements within Canada’s Sikh diaspora. In retaliation, India expelled a Canadian diplomat and put a halt to visa services for Canadian citizens, a move that has severely disrupted people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The diplomatic row has sparked tensions within both countries, with India expressing concerns over Canada’s perceived leniency toward Khalistani extremists, who have long sought a separate Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region. Canada, on the other hand, maintains that it is committed to upholding freedom of speech and peaceful advocacy, though it rejects any support for violent separatist movements.

Canadian officials have also pointed to the growing geopolitical significance of their country in relation to the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring the importance of maintaining a balanced relationship with India. However, this diplomatic spat has impacted trade and economic ties, with some analysts fearing that long-standing business partnerships between the two G20 members could be jeopardized if the situation deteriorates further.

Efforts to defuse the tension have so far yielded limited results. International observers, including those from the United States and the United Kingdom, have urged both countries to resolve the issue through dialogue, warning that a prolonged confrontation could have far-reaching consequences on global diplomatic stability and economic cooperation.

As of now, no formal talks have been scheduled to address the concerns raised by both sides. The global community continues to watch the unfolding situation with concern, given the implications for regional security and the potential to disrupt alliances in an increasingly polarized global environment.

Fiscal Nepal |

Tuesday October 15, 2024, 10:20:11 AM |