Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, on Monday expressed hopes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would involve opposition leaders and heads of various political parties in discussions surrounding the increasingly tense and sensitive India-Canada relations. The diplomatic standoff, triggered by allegations from both sides, has escalated in recent weeks, leading to the expulsion of Canadian diplomats and accusations of criminal activities by Indian government agents in Canada.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh emphasized the critical nature of the issue, stating, “The Indian National Congress certainly hopes and expects that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take into confidence the Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament and the leaders of other political parties on this extremely sensitive and critical issue of India-Canada relations.”
Earlier on Monday, the Indian government took a significant diplomatic step by expelling six Canadian diplomats. This decision followed a meeting where India summoned Canada’s Charge d’Affaires, Stewart Wheeler, to convey its strong disapproval of what it described as the “baseless targeting” of Indian diplomats in Canada. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement, calling the accusations unacceptable.
“The Government of India has decided to expel the following six Canadian diplomats: Mr. Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner; Mr. Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner; Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary; Ian Ross David Trites, First Secretary; Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary; Paula Orjuela, First Secretary,” the MEA’s statement read. The diplomats have been instructed to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
This sharp move by India follows allegations from Canadian law enforcement authorities, accusing Indian diplomats of engaging in unlawful activities on Canadian soil.
The latest diplomatic fallout stems from comments made by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Mike Duheme, who alleged that agents of the Indian government were involved in criminal activities in Canada. Duheme claimed that Canadian law enforcement had gathered evidence of Indian diplomats using their official roles to engage in clandestine operations, including collecting information and involvement in illegal activities such as extortion and homicide.
“Over the past few years and more recently, law enforcement agencies in Canada have successfully investigated and charged a significant number of individuals for their direct involvement in homicides, extortions, and other criminal acts of violence. In addition, there have been well over a dozen credible imminent threats to life which have led to the conduct of duty to warn by law enforcement with members of the South Asian community, specifically members of the pro-Khalistan movement,” Duheme said.
The RCMP’s investigation, according to Duheme, revealed that Indian diplomats and consular officials had leveraged their positions to engage in covert activities, either through direct involvement or using proxies. These activities allegedly targeted individuals, particularly those linked to the pro-Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh state and is considered a threat by the Indian government.
The already strained relationship between India and Canada worsened after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s explosive parliamentary address in 2023. Trudeau had accused India of involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated Khalistani terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2020. Nijjar was gunned down outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.
In his address, Trudeau stated, “credible allegations” had emerged linking Indian agents to Nijjar’s assassination. While Canada has consistently upheld this narrative, India has categorically denied any involvement, calling the claims “absurd” and politically motivated.
India has not only rejected the accusations but also criticized Canada for allegedly providing a safe haven for extremist elements opposed to Indian unity. According to Indian officials, Canada has failed to take adequate action against separatist groups like the Khalistan movement, which India accuses of promoting terrorism and sowing discord in the Indian diaspora.
In its statement, the MEA expressed strong disapproval of the targeting of Indian diplomats in Canada and accused Trudeau’s government of using the situation to advance a political agenda. “These allegations are ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt. The targeting of Indian diplomats is completely unacceptable,” read the official statement.
The situation has placed immense pressure on both governments to navigate an increasingly complex diplomatic challenge. The expulsion of diplomats from both countries is a clear indication of how deeply strained relations have become. With both nations now standing firm on their respective positions, the next steps in resolving this crisis remain unclear.
Jairam Ramesh’s call for Modi to consult opposition leaders underscores the domestic political implications of the standoff. As India and Canada’s relationship hits a new low, political leaders across the spectrum will need to consider the potential impact on international diplomacy, economic ties, and the large Indian diaspora residing in Canada.
India has informed the United States that it has arrested an individual identified as “CC1”…
Welcome to Sites. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!