In a development that underscores the increasingly strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada, India has issued a robust diplomatic protest in response to allegations made by Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, David Morrison. The allegations, which involve India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, suggest a connection to plots against Sikh activists in Canada. Morrison confirmed sharing Shah’s name with The Washington Post, though no concrete evidence has been presented to support the claims.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) swiftly addressed these accusations, labeling them as “absurd” and accused Canadian officials of deliberate attempts to inflict damage on India’s international image. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that Canadian authorities are allegedly feeding unsupported claims to the media, a move seen as an effort to sway global opinion. In response, India summoned a Canadian diplomat to formally express its disapproval and registered its concerns over the reported surveillance of Indian diplomatic staff by Canadian authorities. This monitoring is perceived as a violation of international standards and an attempt to interfere with diplomatic operations.
This diplomatic row has prompted reciprocal actions from both sides. Canada had earlier expelled six Indian diplomats following allegations from an RCMP investigation. The investigation suggested that Indian consular officials in Canada were involved in covert activities to collect information on behalf of the Indian government. India responded in kind by expelling six Canadian diplomats from the country.
The origins of this discord can be traced to 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of participating in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, a claim that India has consistently dismissed. This ongoing tension has notably affected the Indian diaspora living in Canada.
Both countries now face the challenge of navigating their security concerns alongside the need to restore a cooperative and respectful bilateral relationship. For more information, you can read the full article on JURIST – News.