India and Canada's Diplomatic Rift: The Complex History That Led to the Expulsion of Diplomats
Canada and India, once close partners with a strong trade relationship and shared traditions of democracy and pluralism, have reached a shocking low point. The murder of Canadian Sikh Leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023 prompted disagreements after Canada accused India of foul play. This October, both countries expelled their top representatives and other diplomats from their respective states, demonstrating a deteriorating relationship.
Indian-born Hardeep Singh Nijjar moved to Canada in 1997, where he married, had two sons, and worked as a plumber. In June of 2023, he was ambushed and shot by three masked men in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, where he had been president.. Canada fiercely defends Nijjar as a citizen of their country and as a valued community member; hundreds attended his funeral. Conversely, India had previously classified Nijjar as a terrorist deeply involved in the Khalistan movement, which seeks a separate homeland for Sikhs in India. His supporters strongly protested India’s labeling of the activist, arguing it was an attempt to discredit their Sikh leader, who, beyond his pro-Khalistan stance, also spoke out against alleged human rights abuses by the Indian government.
The pro-Khalistan movement remains a sensitive topic for the Indian government as it evokes memories of a violent past. Before British colonists departed in 1947, they split Punjab, the once-impressive Sikh empire, in half. Suddenly, the Sikhs became the minority in the region. Violence erupted between the Sikhs, the Hindus, and the Muslims after the Sikhs felt mistreated by their peers. In the 1970s and 1990s, the movement gained traction and led to attacks on Hindus, the murder of civilians, and the bombings of buildings. As a result, India views the pro-Khalistan campaign as both illegitimate in its territorial claims and prone to violence.
Previous strains on the Indian-Canadian relationship resurfaced following the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, uncovering past incidents like the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182. Named the worst attack in Canadian history by the Canadian government, terrorists bombed and killed all 329 people on board the plane. The victims included Canadian citizens, mostly of Indian origin, and 24 Indians. The perpetrators were Indian-born Sikhs who were seeking revenge for the Indian army’s deadly 1984 storming of the Golden Temple in the Punjab state. The investigation of the bombing received intense criticism from victims' families and India, as only one man was convicted, two were acquitted in 2005, and the sole person found guilty was released in 2016. After Canada’s criminal accusations against India regarding the murder of Nijjar, a spokesperson for India’s External Affairs Ministry rebutted, claiming that Canada’s core issue is that it has become a ‘safe haven for terrorists.’
Unlike India, Canada does not believe the Sikhs are extremists, but rather separatist activists protected by freedom of speech laws. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which has been investigating Nijjar's murder, released a statement last month describing serious threats to Canadian sovereignty and security, such as ‘violent extremism in both countries, links tying agents of the Government of India to homicides and violent acts, the use of organized crime to create a perception of an unsafe environment targeting the South Asian Community in Canada; and interference into democratic processes.’ Following these tensions, Canada’s National Cyber Threat Assessment was released this November and named India fifth on the list after China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea.
This led to Canada’s expulsion of six diplomats, to which India responded by expelling Canadian diplomats in return. Though the RCMP insists they have shared evidence of misbehaviour with the Indian government, New Delhi disagrees and believes these are attempts at smearing India’s public image for political gain. The allegations against the Indian state are severe, and though the RMCP finally issued an announcement, they continue to withhold concrete evidence from the public eye. The lack of public records undercuts the integrity of the ongoing investigation, and Canada will continue to face pressures from outside voices.
India further accuses Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of sympathizing with the Sikh cause due to the community's political support for his party. As the largest Sikh group that resides outside of India, he depends on their backing. Arguably, however, he is taking into account the broader sentiments of the community, most of whom do not support the Khalistan movement and the use of violence. On the contrary, India believes they are defending their honor and dignity, but also managing a potential violent threat against their sovereignty.
This rift could carry significant geopolitical implications, as both countries hold influential positions on the global stage. Canada is a NATO member, maintains strong relationships with the EU, and is one of the world’s wealthiest nations. India, with its booming population and rapidly growing economy, is a sought-after trade partner and is frequently aligned with Western powers. While the United States aided in investigating Nijjar's killing, it and other countries are currently playing two sides—a stance that may eventually require a choice.
Image courtesy of Sukhmani Sandhu via Flickr, ©2023. Some rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the wider St. Andrews Foreign Affairs Review team.
