The relations between India and Canada have become tense in the last few months. A recent survey claimed that 40% of Canadians believe that the Justin Trudeau government has not handled relations with India properly. This survey was conducted with the help of non-profit organizations (Angus Reid Institute and Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada).
In fact, the Canadian public is not satisfied with Justin Trudeau’s policy and management regarding the deteriorating relations between India and Canada. According to the survey, 39 percent of Canadians feel that the Trudeau government is not handling the relations properly, while 32 percent believe the opposite. The survey claims that 39 percent of Canadians feel that there will be no improvement in relations between India and Canada under Trudeau.
Relations between India and Canada deteriorated last September when Justin Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down in Surrey on June 18, 2023. October, relations between the two countries soured when Canadian authorities named India’s High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other diplomats as “Persons of interest” in the investigation into Nijjar’s killing.
Rejecting Canada’s allegations, India recalled its high commissioner and expelled six Canadian diplomats. Last month, a Canadian official alleged that Union Home MinisterAmit Shahordered a campaign of violence, intimidation and intelligence gathering targeting Khalistani extremists inside Canada. Canada’s Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison told members of Parliament on the National Security Committee that he had confirmed Shah’s name to The Washington Post, which first reported the allegations.
The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the Canadian allegation, calling it “absurd and baseless”. “The Government of India strongly condemns the absurd and baseless allegations made against the Union Home Minister,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on November 2. Jaiswal also said that a Canadian diplomat was summoned in New Delhi on Friday and handed over a letter to formally protest the allegation. He warned, “Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences on bilateral relations.”
