Ottawa: In the wake of a diplomatic rift between Canada and India, Canadian media has reported that additional expulsions of Indian diplomats may be imminent as investigations into alleged Indian government-linked violence in Canada continue. This development follows the recent expulsion of six senior diplomats from each country, marking a significant deterioration in bilateral relations.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has suggested that the expelled diplomats might not be the last, as Canadian authorities delve deeper into the complexities of India’s clandestine operations in the country. These operations reportedly involve a network that, despite recent diplomatic actions, remains largely intact in Canada. Sources close to the matter have indicated that members of this network might soon choose to leave Canada voluntarily to avoid the risk of arrest.
The CBC report highlights the case of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh activist whose murder in Surrey has been linked to these alleged operations. The incident is portrayed as part of a broader strategy by India to target individuals abroad, which has significantly strained diplomatic engagements between the two nations.
On October 14, in a reciprocal move, Canada and India each declared six of the other’s diplomats persona non grata, including their highest-ranking officials, in response to ongoing tensions. The Canadian government has pointedly named Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma as a person of interest in their investigations, stemming from India’s refusal to waive diplomatic immunity for its officials implicated in activities against Canadian citizens.
Canadian journalists have extensively criticized the activities of India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), for its operations not only in Canada but globally, especially in regions with large South Asian communities. Commentary in the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail has warned of potential severe repercussions for India, including possible international sanctions and enduring diplomatic consequences, should further violence occur.
Globe and Mail’s Campbell Clark and Andrew Coyne have both expressed concern over the aggressive tactics reportedly employed by the Indian government against Sikh-Canadian activists and India’s lack of cooperation with Canadian investigative efforts. Coyne, in particular, has questioned the Modi administration’s commitment to democratic norms, citing India’s ongoing resistance to participating in a transparent inquiry as exacerbating the diplomatic crisis.
The situation remains fluid, with both nations bracing for potential further escalations that could reshape their diplomatic landscape for years to come.