NEW DELHI: India’s foreign ministry announced on Saturday that it formally protested to Canada. The protest was in response to Canada’s claims linking India’s home minister to alleged plots against Sikh separatists. Furthermore, India accused Ottawa of spying on its consular staff. This assertion continues to strain India Canada relations, prompting both countries to expel diplomats. #IndiaCanadaRelations
“It was conveyed in a note that the government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India,” said foreign ministry’s spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a press conference in New Delhi.
The Washington Post reported that Canadian officials accused Amit Shah, a senior member of the Modi government, of orchestrating violence against Sikh separatists in Canada. According to the report, an unnamed senior Canadian official stated that Shah authorized a campaign of intelligence gathering and attacks, including the 2023 killing of Nijjar.
Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison confirmed this information to a parliamentary panel on Tuesday. He mentioned that the journalist contacted him for verification, to which he confirmed Shah’s involvement. Morrison stated that he informed the US-based newspaper about Shah’s role in the alleged plots.
Canada hosts the largest Sikh community outside India, including activists for “Khalistan.” This fringe separatist movement seeks an independent state for the Sikh religious minority from Indian territory.
Jaiswal responded to New Delhi on Saturday, accusing Canadian officials of leaking “unfounded insinuations” to the media to “discredit India.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the national police previously stated there were “clear indications” of India’s involvement in the murder. They also mentioned a broader campaign of intimidation, violence, and threats against Khalistan activists.
India has consistently rejected these allegations, which have severely strained diplomatic relations. Last month, Delhi and Ottawa expelled each other’s ambassadors and several senior diplomats in response to escalating tensions.
The day after Morrison’s comments, a Canadian intelligence agency released a report. This report warned that India was using cyber technology to track Sikh separatists abroad and increased cyber attacks against Canadian government networks. #IndiaCanadaRelations
In light of these developments, India remains firm in denying any wrongdoing. Thus, India Canada relations face significant hurdles as both nations navigate this complex situation. The diplomatic fallout could have lasting implications for both countries’ future interactions.
