Written by US Supports Canada’s Call for India’s Cooperation in Murder Probe
Background
The US has expressed its support for Canada’s call for India’s cooperation in the investigation of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and a Sikh separatist leader who was shot dead in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver, in June 2023. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that he urged India to work with Canada in the probe and that he wanted to see accountability for the murder. He also said that the US valued its relationship with both Canada and India and hoped to see a resolution of the dispute.
The US statement came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of having a “potential link” to the murder and said that there was “credible” evidence that linked agents of the Indian government to the killing. He also said that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil was an “unacceptable violation” of Canada’s sovereignty. India denied any role in the murder and called Nijjar a terrorist who was wanted by India for his involvement in anti-India activities.
The diplomatic row between Canada and India escalated when Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat from the country and India retaliated by expelling a Canadian diplomat and suspending visa services for Canadians. The tension also affected the G20 summit in Delhi on September 9, where Trudeau skipped an official dinner of the leaders and had a brief and “frosty” meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Implications
The Canada-India issue is not only a bilateral matter, but also has implications for the relations between Canada and its allies, especially the US. The US is not the only ally that has backed Canada’s demand for India’s cooperation in the investigation. The UK and Australia have also urged India to cooperate with Canada and respect its sovereignty. However, none of these countries have taken any specific retaliatory measures against India, such as imposing sanctions or cutting off trade ties. The US, in particular, has been trying to strengthen its strategic partnership with India as a counterbalance to China’s rise in Asia. The US founder of political strategy firm Signum Global Advisors, Charles Myers, said that the US would likely try to stay out of the dispute as much as it can, aiming not to disrupt the progress it has made with India.
The Canada-India issue is also testing the relations between Canada and its allies, especially the US. Some analysts have suggested that Trudeau’s allegations against India were motivated by domestic politics, as he faces a federal election on October 23 and wants to appeal to the large Sikh diaspora in Canada. However, this could also alienate some of his allies who see India as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region. Moreover, Trudeau’s stance on human rights and democracy has been questioned by some critics who point out his silence on China’s abuses against Uyghurs and Hong Kong protesters.
Outlook
The Canada-India issue is a complex and sensitive one that involves historical, political, and security aspects. It is unlikely to be resolved soon, unless both sides show willingness to engage in dialogue and compromise. The role of the US and other allies is also crucial in facilitating communication and mediation between Canada and India, while balancing their own interests and values.