Canada and India Engage in Diplomatic Talks Amid Escalating Tensions

Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has expressed his intention to de-escalate tensions with India, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong diplomatic presence in the country. This statement comes in response to reports suggesting that India may want to remove a significant number of Canadian diplomats from its territory, although Trudeau did not confirm these reports. He reiterated Canada’s commitment to constructive relations with India during a challenging period, refraining from escalating the situation.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly also weighed in, underscoring the significance of a robust diplomatic presence in India, particularly during moments of heightened tension between the two governments. She stressed the importance of keeping diplomatic discussions private.

The diplomatic tension between Canada and India began when Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of a designated Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in British Columbia. India promptly labeled these allegations as absurd and motivated, leading to the expulsion of senior diplomats and the issuance of travel advisories by both sides. While India has not officially responded to reports of asking Canadian diplomats to leave, they had previously called for equal representation in terms of the number and rank of diplomats.

Trudeau’s accusations emerged after his visit to New Delhi for the G20 summit, during which India expressed concerns about anti-India activities in Canada. Trudeau defended freedom of expression and emphasized that the actions of a few individuals should not define Canada. The United States called for a thorough investigation into Canada’s allegations during discussions between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

In the backdrop of these developments, it is evident that diplomatic channels remain active, with ongoing efforts to address and resolve the escalating tensions between Canada and India.