India-Canada relations seem to have hit a new low following the allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Indian ‘agents’ may have a hand in murder of the Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last June. He further asserts that the evidence had been shared with India and the issue had been raised in the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the fringe of G-20. This has set off a chain of actions and retaliations by both countries.

Canada has expelled a senior Indian diplomat. In retaliation, New Delhi has expelled the Canadian station chief on charges of spying. A business delegation from Canada planned in October has been called off. Discussion on the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and India is put on hold.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued an advisory, which is strongly worded. It reads, “In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution.”

The advisory basically warns Indian nationals in Canada and those wanting to visit the country, against “anti-India activities” and “politically-condoned hate crimes”. It further says, “Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda… Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.”

Obviously, the usual fallout of such a travel advisory is that official visits or those sanctioned by the Indian government will not take place. Visits by private individuals on tourist, business, and student visas, however, can continue. But it may be that such a travel advisory is hard to follow and implement, since the two countries are closely linked through people-to-people ties – through families, studies, and business.

On the wider ramification, the current spat between the countries portends unwanted consequences for bilateralism. Both countries are political democracies and plural societies irrespective of their domestic political problems and compulsions. Canada is a NATO member and is closely associated with the Western block.

In face of a common threat from China, which ironically works as a catalyst for many countries to come together, New Delhi and Ottawa were coming close. Michael Kugelman, the Asia Program Deputy Director and Senior Associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC, USA, put the current Indo-Canadian relations, pithily, commercial ties were robust and strategic convergences, especially shared concerns about China, were strengthening cooperation.

Seeking to diversify the Canadian economy, Trudeau saw India as a critical partner under its Indo-Pacific strategy, given the country’s growing economic and demographic importance in the region. As recently as May, both sides appeared optimistic about the Free Trade Agreement.

The startling allegation made by the Canadian Prime Minister has upset the apple cart. Clearly, Justin Trudeau is a political hostage to a party of the Sikhs in his country who have active sympathy for a separatist movement, read Khalistani in the Indian state of Punjab. The Khalistani support in Canada is not new.It goes back some over 40 years. But it was handled somewhat with goodwill and understanding between the leadership of both countries.

What has changed under Justin Trudeau is his tacit support and even open dalliance with Khalistani forces. One feels sorry for Trudeau as captain Amarinder Singh, the former Punjab Chief Minister said, “Trudeau has unknowingly walked into a mortal trap by allying with the militant Khalistani sympathisers”.

What is the issue at hand now? Trudeau has said the Canadian agencies have investigated the murder and have apparently found the involvement of Indian agents. The government of India has dismissed the charge as ‘absurd and motivated.’ It is perhaps silly to argue over it.

As suggested by a few commentators, the Indian Home Minister should sit down with his Canadian counterpart and thrash this out. Anybody found guilty should be brought to book. It is another matter that Nijjar was a “wanted criminal” accused of various offences. But murder of any person bypassing the judicial system is not allowed in either of the countries.

Let us dig a bit deeper lest one should be accused of simplifying the present impasse.In early June, India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, expressed deep concerns that Canada giving space to Sikh separatists “was not good for the relationship” between the two countries. The comments were made in response to a question over a social media clip of a parade held by Khalistan separatists in Brampton, Ontario, on June 4.

He added “For us, how Canada has dealt with the Khalistani issue has been a long-standing concern because, very frankly, they seem to be driven by vote-bank politics.” This was a reference to the sizable Canadian Sikh voters who could sway the electoral verdict either way. Ten days after Jaishankar’s warnings, Nijjar was shot dead at a Sikh temple in Vancouver. 

However, the link between Jaishankar’s remarks and the murder of Nijjar could not be automatic and is in fact, ridiculous to suggest so. On the other hand, the deterioration in the relationship could be attributed to growing Sikh activism, not only in Canada but also in the U.K., U.S., and Australia, including widespread protests held in March over the manhunt for another Sikh separatist leader, Amritpal Singh. “The stepped-up activism has sharpened New Delhi’s concerns while Canada, citing freedom of speech, holds back from taking actions.

To be sure,Trudeau’s track record in dealing with Khalistan supporters in Canada is dismal. On the contrary, he has overlooked open incitement to violence against Indians. Sikh extremists have celebrated the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, they have put up “Kill India” posters calling for violence against Indian diplomats and vandalized Hindu temples. Trudeau has even attended and participated in events that have glorified militants.His visit prior to his presence in G-20 Summit was vitiated by objectionable events he was involved with.

That said, New Delhi should see Indo-Canadian relations without and beyond Trudeau and encourage and facilitate multiple contacts in Canada to deal with any support for Khalistan emerging from that country. Remember,Canada is home to the world’s largest Sikh population outside India, numbering nearly 770,000 people, or 2.1% of the country’s population.

At the same time, Canada hosts one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world counting to 16 lakh people of Indian origin, accounting for over 3 percent of the total Canadian population, including 7 lakh NRIs.As per the last year’s data, India became the top source of foreign students studying in Canada — 2.3 lakh. Indian companies in Canada are active in information technology, software, steel, natural resources, and banking sectors.

Canada remains the most attractive destination for Indian youths to study and work. Trade and commerce are bound to grow between the two countries.It is therefore prudent and pragmatic to deal with the current tensions with care. Canada should not become China or Pakistan for India with ongoing conflicts spiralling out of hand.—INFA

(Prof. D.K. Giri is the Secretary General of Assn for Democratic Socialism)