The India-Canada diplomatic tensions escalated in 2024 after the Canadian government named the Indian diplomats as persons of interest in an investigation. Read here to learn more about the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
India-Canada diplomatic tensions have a complex and evolving history, marked by several phases of cooperation and confrontation.
While the two countries have long-standing diplomatic relations, periodic clashes over political, economic, and security issues have created strains.
One of the most recent and significant episodes relates to the diplomatic standoff that escalated in 2023.
India-Canada Diplomatic Tension 2024
Canada:
- The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada escalated in 2024 after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, in Canada.
- Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was linked by India to the Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh state. India has dismissed the allegations as “absurd” and accused Canada of harbouring extremists.
India:
- In response to the accusations, India took several diplomatic actions, including reducing Canada’s diplomatic presence in the country.
- Canada had to withdraw 41 of its diplomats after India threatened to revoke their immunity, leaving only 21 diplomats in India.
- Canada criticized this move as a violation of international law and the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.
- The situation has also led to the suspension of visa services by India for Canadian citizens, further straining relations.
Global response:
Both nations are standing firm, with Canada relying on intelligence from its allies in the Five Eyes network to support its claims, while India continues to reject the allegations.
- This dispute has already impacted bilateral trade talks and may have broader consequences for the relationship between the two countries and their allies.
- The U.S. has expressed concern over the diplomatic row, emphasizing the need for caution in how it might affect international relations.
- Both the UK and the US (part of Five Eyes) have asked India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation.
- In a surprising admission, the Canadian Prime Minister revealed that his government had no concrete evidence when it initially accused India of being involved.
- India has responded by reiterating its stand that Canada has not provided any hard evidence in relation to the allegations yet.
History of India-Canada diplomatic tensions
The Early Phase of Relations (1947–1970s):
- India and Canada shared cordial relations after India gained independence in 1947.
- Canada was one of the first countries to recognize India’s independence and support its developmental needs.
- Both nations were part of the Commonwealth and shared interests in multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations.
- Canada played a significant role in India’s early development, providing economic aid and technical assistance, notably through the Colombo Plan.
- Ties strengthened with visits by Indian Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to Canada.
Nuclear Fallout and Cooling Relations (1974–1980s):
- Relations between India and Canada faced a significant downturn in 1974 when India conducted its first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha).
- Canada, which had supplied India with nuclear technology for peaceful purposes under a civilian agreement, felt betrayed, leading to a rupture in relations.
- Canada froze nuclear cooperation with India, and tensions persisted over India’s subsequent nuclear activities.
Diplomatic Thaw (1990s–2000s):
- India and Canada slowly rebuilt diplomatic relations after the end of the Cold War.
- With India’s economic liberalization in the 1990s, there was renewed interest from Canada in strengthening economic ties, particularly in trade and investment.
- The two countries worked to re-establish cooperation in various fields, including agriculture, education, and technology.
- However, lingering issues, especially related to India’s nuclear ambitions, continued to affect relations.
- It wasn’t until the 2008 Indo-U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement that Canada resumed nuclear cooperation with India, resulting in a uranium supply deal in 2010.
Issues Around the Sikh Diaspora (1980s–present):
- A significant point of contention in India-Canada relations has been related to the large Sikh diaspora in Canada, particularly regarding Khalistan, a movement for an independent Sikh state.
- In the 1980s, during the height of separatist violence in Punjab, tensions arose between the two countries over alleged Khalistani sympathizers in Canada.
- The 1985 Air India bombing, orchestrated by Khalistani extremists based in Canada, was a critical juncture in diplomatic relations.
- The attack, which killed 329 people, mostly Canadians of Indian origin, strained relations for years due to concerns over Canada’s handling of the investigation and the perception that it was slow to act against extremist elements.
- While the Khalistan movement has diminished in India, the issue remains sensitive.
- Some elements within the Canadian Sikh community continue to advocate for the movement, leading to tensions with the Indian government, which views such activities as a threat to its territorial integrity.
Economic Cooperation vs. Political Frictions (2010s):
- Despite political tensions, economic relations between India and Canada have expanded.
- Both countries signed several trade agreements, and Canadian investment in India increased, particularly in the energy, infrastructure, and education sectors.
- However, bilateral relations often became strained over political and human rights issues.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2018 visit to India, for example, was overshadowed by controversies surrounding Sikh separatism.
- The Indian government expressed concerns about Trudeau’s perceived leniency towards Khalistani activists in Canada, leading to frosty meetings during the visit.
Diplomatic Crisis in 2023:
The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada entered a particularly tense phase in September 2023.
This new crisis began when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist leader, who was killed in British Columbia in June 2023.
Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were involved in the murder, which sparked a major diplomatic row.
- Canada’s Actions: Canada expelled an Indian diplomat who was suspected of being linked to the case. Trudeau’s statement in the Canadian Parliament and subsequent actions raised concerns about foreign interference in Canadian sovereignty.
- India’s Response: India strongly rejected the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.” India countered by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat and temporarily suspending visa services for Canadians. The Indian government also accused Canada of harbouring extremists who support the Khalistan movement and called for greater action from Canada against these groups.
- International Impact: The diplomatic fallout raised concerns among Canada’s allies, especially the United States and the United Kingdom, who urged India and Canada to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels. The dispute also complicated discussions on trade agreements between the two countries and raised broader concerns about how the issue of foreign interference and separatism impacts global diplomacy.
Way forward
As of late 2023 and early 2024, diplomatic relations between India and Canada remain strained, with no clear resolution in sight.
Both sides have made moves to de-escalate certain aspects of the conflict, but the fundamental disagreements over security, sovereignty, and the activities of the Sikh diaspora in Canada remain unresolved.
To manage and potentially resolve these tensions, several steps could be taken:
- Diplomatic Dialogue: Direct communication between high-level officials in both governments is crucial. Finding a neutral platform for discussions on shared concerns—such as terrorism and separatism—would help both sides address their grievances. Restoring open lines of dialogue can reduce misunderstandings.
- Strengthening Multilateral Engagements: Both countries share platforms in multilateral organizations such as the G20. Utilizing these forums to reframe their cooperation in global issues like trade, climate change, and education can ease diplomatic friction.
- Trade and Economic Resilience: While formal trade talks have been paused, both countries have significant economic interests at stake. Investments, particularly from Canadian pension funds into India, and ongoing business ties remain largely intact despite the diplomatic freeze. Keeping trade separate from political disagreements may allow for a gradual restoration of trust
- Addressing Domestic Pressures: Canada must address its internal politics concerning Sikh separatism, while India should offer reassurances that it remains committed to international norms of diplomacy. Mutual understanding of such domestic issues can help reduce external tensions.
Conclusion
The history of India-Canada diplomatic tensions is shaped by a combination of geopolitical, nuclear, and diaspora-related issues.
While the two countries share many common interests, particularly in trade and global governance, political tensions—especially over issues related to the Sikh diaspora and Khalistan- continue to create friction.
The 2023 crisis marked a significant low point in relations, with future interactions likely hinging on both countries’ ability to address security concerns and diplomatic sensitivities.
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-Article by Swathi Satish
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