India Canada News: Events upending bilateral ties this week

The Indian government "completely rejected" Trudeau's allegations

This week began with the diplomatic ties between Canada and India coming under strain. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen at a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June. As tensions rose between the two nations due to the events that followed the allegation, economic and trade ties almost came to a standstill.

Let us take a look at events in the last four days that hit the bilateral relations.

Months after Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in Canada, Trudeau accused the Indian government of being behind the shooting. "Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," Trudeau said. He also stressed that the involvement of a foreign hand or government in the killing of a Canadian citizen in Canada was unacceptable.

Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat as it investigated “credible allegations” that India’s government may have had links to the assassination of Nijjar. Trudeau informed the Parliament that he brought up the slaying with  Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recently concluded G-20 event in New Delhi. In a report by the Indian Express, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said the head of Indian intelligence in Canada was expelled as a consequence.

The Indian government "completely rejected" Trudeau's allegations and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move. The diplomat concerned was asked to leave India in five days. "The decision reflects the Government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities," the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

New Delhi issued an advisory to Indian nationals in Canada, including students, to exercise utmost caution in view of “growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes”, and asked them to register with Indian missions.

India suspended the issuing of visas in Canada citing “operational reasons”.  A private agency, BLS, hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians put out a note on its website, conveying “Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking the BLS website for further updates."

However, the above message was put up, removed after about an hour and then re-shared quickly thereafter by BLS.  The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will address a weekly press briefing later in the evening, where some clarity on the visa issue may be expected.