Trudeau’s announcement of “credible allegations” has triggered rupture in bilateral relations with India
Ottawa:
Weeks earlier than making explosive allegations implicating Indian officers within the killing of Sikh separatist chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian officers sought public condemnation of the homicide from their allies, together with america, however had been met with reluctance, The Washington Submit has reported.
The identical highlights the diplomatic challenges confronted by the Biden administration and its allies as they attempt to navigate relations with India, an important participant within the area, the report famous.
The alleged assassination of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on June 18, led to behind-the-scenes discussions amongst senior officers from the 5 Eyes nations within the weeks main as much as the September Group of 20 summit in New Delhi.
Nonetheless, no public point out was made earlier than the summit, which was seen as an essential occasion for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in line with The Washington Submit.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement of “credible allegations” within the parliament triggered a major rupture in bilateral relations with India, ensuing within the expulsion of an Indian diplomat in Ottawa, the report acknowledged.
“Canadian safety businesses have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a possible hyperlink between brokers of the Authorities of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” PM Trudeau mentioned on Monday.
Nonetheless, New Delhi on Tuesday rejected Canada’s allegations of Indian brokers being concerned within the killing of pro-Khalistan chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Drive and a delegated ‘terrorist’.
In retaliation to the Trudeau administration expelling an Indian diplomat, New Delhi ordered a Canadian envoy, believed to be spying for the nation in India, to go away inside 5 days, the Submit added in its report.
Whereas Trudeau emphasised that Canada was not seeking to provoke or escalate the scenario, India has rejected its accusation as “absurd and motivated,” shifting the main focus to Khalistani terrorists and extremists sheltered in Canada, The Washington Submit reported.
In an announcement, the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) mentioned, “We’ve got seen and reject the assertion of the Canadian Prime Minister of their Parliament, as additionally the assertion by their International Minister. Allegations of the Authorities of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated.”
Nijjar had been designated a terrorist by safety businesses in 2020 and was accused of supporting assaults in Punjab, the report famous, including that India sought his extradition in 2022 and linked him to the killing of a Hindu priest in Punjab that very same yr.
In line with the report, India had been pressuring nations like Canada, Australia, Britain, and america, which have vital Sikh communities, to crack down on the Khalistan motion. Professional-Khalistan protests had taken place in London and San Francisco, inflicting stress with the Indian authorities.
This diplomatic controversy unfolds as Western nations search to strengthen their geopolitical and commerce partnerships with India whereas refraining from criticizing Prime Minister Modi’s authoritarian insurance policies.
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, identified the dilemma dealing with Western governments, acknowledging Canada as an ally however valuing their relationship with India as a key strategic associate.
In line with The Washington Submit, the G20 summit in India in September was marked by stress, with Trudeau sidelined and denied formal bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi. The Khalistan subject was mentioned on the summit’s sidelines, additional straining relations.
Canada’s International Minister Melanie Joly acknowledged that Trudeau had raised the allegations with President Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with the subject anticipated to be mentioned on the UN Basic Meeting, The Washington Submit reported.
In response, Washington expressed deep concern and emphasised the significance of Canada’s investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Australia additionally raised the problem with India at senior ranges.
The allegations surrounding Nijjar’s assassination have intensified the long-standing subject of Khalistan supporters in Canada, with potential ramifications for world geopolitics and overseas interference.
Whereas the scenario stays advanced, it underscores the fragile stability Western nations should preserve between their allies and their strategic partnerships in a quickly evolving world area, The Washington Submit reported.