Ottawa, October 18, 2024 – Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly issued an unmistakable warning to Indian diplomats on Friday, saying they are “clearly on notice,” amid escalating tensions between the two nations accused of foreign interference. This was all triggered by a recent accusation by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India might have been involved with the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh activist, on Canadian soil this June.

Joly again asked for “full cooperation from the Indian government over this killing and full responsibility for what Ottawa perceives as an attack on national sovereignty.” “We take this situation very seriously,” Joly warned, warning that Canada will have no difficulty taking other diplomatic measures to see that the issue is addressed constructively by India. Protection of Canadian democracy and its citizens is the utmost priority.

However, India rejected the accusations as “baseless and politically motivated.” In return, New Delhi expelled a senior Canadian diplomat and suspended visa services for Canadians over the accusations, marking a serious split between the two nations.

A series of tit-for-tat actions has further strained Ottawa’s relations with India, including the expulsion of Indian diplomats from Canada. The experts warn that such a dispute undermines trade negotiations and regional partnerships, where both countries have such significant stakes in defense, technology, and immigration.

While international observers call for de-escalation, neither side has shown any sign of receding. Trudeau refused to back off from the intelligence findings of Canada and instead has sought full transparency from India in investigating the killing of Nijjar. However, the Indian government accused Canada of sheltering extremists and never attempting to prosecute the anti-India elements running riot on Canadian soil.

The diplomatic crisis between the two countries has reached a complete deadlock, with fears mounting that the repercussions could have long-lasting consequences for Indo-Canadian relations. With this, observers are now calling on both sides to use diplomatic channels to prevent further harm, as the dispute may end up offsetting not only the political ties but also the economic and strategic cooperation.

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