October 19, 2024: India and Canada have had a historically cordial relationship, but in recent months, diplomatic tensions have escalated significantly. The strain in relations reached a new low on October 14, 2024, when India announced the withdrawal of its High Commissioner to Ottawa and other “targeted diplomats.” The escalation followed a series of exchanges between both countries over the killing of Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and subsequent allegations made by the Canadian government.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent figure in the pro-Khalistan movement, was assassinated in Canada. In September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Parliament, alleging that Indian agents were linked to Nijjar’s killing. India vehemently rejected the allegations, labeling them as politically motivated and lacking credible evidence.
Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, warned the remaining 15 Indian diplomats in Canada, stating that they were “clearly on notice” and must adhere to Canadian laws. Joly’s warning signified the intensity of the growing diplomatic rift.
“We won’t tolerate any diplomats that are in contravention of the Vienna Convention,” Joly added.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported serious threats against members of the South Asian community, particularly those aligned with the pro-Khalistan movement. Mélanie Joly confirmed that these threats were significant enough to warrant public disclosure, which marked an unprecedented case of “transnational repression” on Canadian soil.
“There was definitely a threat, and that’s exactly why the RCMP decided to take the extraordinary measure of making public the fact that Canadians were being intimidated, victims of extortion, or even death threats because agents and diplomats from India were linked to these criminal actions,” Joly said. Joly emphasized that any diplomats found in contravention of the Vienna Convention, which outlines the framework for diplomatic relations, would not be tolerated. The RCMP’s decision to disclose these threats publicly is rare and underscores the gravity of the situation. Joly drew comparisons to actions by Russia, where foreign interference has been a significant issue in other nations.
These developments come at a time when both countries are key players in their respective regions. India’s growing role in global geopolitics, coupled with Canada’s position as a G7 nation, means that the ongoing rift could have consequences beyond bilateral relations, affecting broader multilateral cooperation.
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