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 the US, however have been met with reluctance, The Washington Publish 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 necessary occasion for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in line with The Washington Publish.
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 companies 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 Pressure 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 Publish added in its report.
Whereas Trudeau emphasised that Canada was not trying to provoke or escalate the state of affairs, India has rejected its accusation as “absurd and motivated,” shifting the main target to Khalistani terrorists and extremists sheltered in Canada, The Washington Publish reported.
In a press release, the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) mentioned, “We now have 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 companies 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 12 months.
Based on the report, India had been pressuring nations like Canada, Australia, Britain, and the US, which have vital Sikh communities, to crack down on the Khalistan motion. Professional-Khalistan protests had taken place in London and San Francisco, inflicting rigidity 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 companion.
Based on The Washington Publish, the G20 summit in India in September was marked by rigidity, with Trudeau sidelined and denied formal bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi. The Khalistan problem 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 Publish 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 difficulty with India at senior ranges.
The allegations surrounding Nijjar’s assassination have intensified the long-standing problem of Khalistan supporters in Canada, with potential ramifications for world geopolitics and overseas interference.
Whereas the state of affairs stays complicated, it underscores the fragile steadiness Western nations should preserve between their allies and their strategic partnerships in a quickly evolving world house, The Washington Publish reported.
