Relations between India and Canada have been on a steady decline for some time now, but recent developments have brought a new turn in this relationship. On one hand, while Pakistan is often mentioned in the context of terrorism and anti-India activities, now Canada has also come in this category. “Canada has now become the new Pakistan for India,” remarked senior researcher Sushant Sarin during a televised discussion. Has Canada really become like Pakistan for India? Let us know.
How did the gap in relations between India and Canada come into existence?
The real rift in relations between India and Canada came when Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in Surrey city of Canada in June 2023. Subsequently, the government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in the murder. However, India repeatedly demanded concrete evidence but Canada could not present any concrete evidence in this direction. This incident further strained the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Recently, Canada declared Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma as a Person of Interest, further angering India. As a result, India took the drastic step of recalling its diplomats and expelling six Canadian embassy officials. Such measures have been seen before between India and Pakistan, when both countries expelled personnel from their respective embassies after the Pulwama attack.
Trudeau's wavering attitude on Khalistan issue
Justin Trudeau's government is accused of doing vote-bank politics in his country by encouraging Khalistani elements. This is the same strategy which Pakistan had adopted on Kashmir issue. Pakistan used Kashmir as a political weapon to harvest votes in its domestic politics. Trudeau is also supporting Khalistani activities for the votes of Sikhs in Canada.
Khalistani organizations such as the World Sikh Organization, Khalistan Tiger Force, and Babbar Khalsa International have operated openly in Canada. The Indian government has already demanded a ban on these organizations several times, but Canada did not pay heed to these demands.
Canada became a haven for terrorists
Just as Pakistan had become a safe haven for terrorists, Canada too is now becoming a stronghold of anti-India elements. The Indian Foreign Ministry clearly said in its statement that the Canadian government is not only giving protection to Khalistani elements, but it is also giving shelter to terrorists and criminals who are absconding from Indian law. Many of these people are working closely with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI.
Trudeau's vote-bank politics
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has repeatedly blamed Trudeau's vote-bank politics for the situation. Trudeau's government is supported by Jagmeet Singh's New Democratic Party (NDP), who is known to be pro-Khalistani. This alliance has forced Canada to adopt a soft stance towards Khalistani elements.
