Written by India-Canada Diplomatic Crisis: India Demands Canada to Withdraw 41 Diplomats by October 10
What Happened?
India has given an ultimatum to Canada to withdraw 41 diplomats by October 10, 2023, amid a diplomatic row over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in June 2023. India has denied any involvement in the murder and called Nijjar a terrorist who was wanted by India for his anti-India activities. Canada has 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. Canada has also expelled a senior Indian diplomat from the country and India has 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 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau skipped an official dinner of the leaders and had a brief and “frosty” meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
How Does It Affect India and Its Allies?
The India-Canada issue is not only a bilateral matter, but also has implications for the relations between India and its allies, especially the US. The US has expressed its support for Canada’s call for India’s cooperation in the investigation of the murder and said that it valued its relationship with both Canada and India and hoped to see a resolution of the dispute. 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. However, the US has also 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 India-Canada issue is also testing the relations between Canada and its allies, especially the UK and Australia. 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. 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.
What Is The Future Of The Dispute?
The India-Canada 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 India and Canada, while balancing their own interests and values. The ultimatum given by India to Canada to withdraw 41 diplomats by October 10 is a sign of escalation that could further strain the ties between the two countries. It remains to be seen how Canada will respond to this demand and whether it will comply or defy it.