Détente through diplomacy

Both sides need to respect the political sensibilities and genuine concerns of each other—while Canada must understand that Khalistan is a sensitive issue for India, the Indian authorities, too, shall exercise constraint in their diplomatic communication

- DIPANKAR DEY

On October 14, a diplomatic row that has strained bilateral relations between India and Canada for over a year boiled over as the countries expelled each other’s top diplomats over the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Experts say the standoff will make it difficult for both countries to move forward with a once-promising partnership and could impact India’s ambitions as it seeks to project itself as a rising world power, reports AP.

Canada’s allegations

On Monday, Canada announced the expulsion of India’s top diplomat in the country, along with five other officials. In response, India reciprocated by expelling six Canadian diplomats, including the High Commissioner of Canada in Delhi, Stewart Ross Wheeler. Canada’s government said it had taken the extraordinary measure of expelling the senior Indian diplomats to protect Canadian citizens and reassure those who may feel their safety had been compromised. India rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations that India was engaging in activities, including carrying out covert operations targeting Canadian nationals, in his country.

Quoting the Washington Post, The Wire has informed that the Canadian officials have told the Indian government that “conversations and texts among Indian diplomats include references” to Union home minister Amit Shah and a senior official in the Research and Analysis Wing in India “who have authorised… intelligence-gathering missions and attacks on Sikh separatists,” in Canada. The Wire also reports that this information was conveyed in a hitherto unpublicised meeting between top Canadian security and foreign ministry officials and Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval in Singapore on October 12.