India – Canada
India-Canada ties have hit a new low after Indian police accused a Canadian man of orchestrating the assassination of Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri. The allegations have sparked outrage in India, with many calling for a boycott of Canadian products. The Canadian government has denied any involvement in the assassination and has called for a “full and transparent” investigation.
The tensions between the two countries have been simmering for months, with India accusing Canada of harboring Khalistani separatists. Khalistan is a separatist movement that seeks to create an independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab state. India has long accused Canada of providing support to Khalistani groups, and the tensions have escalated in recent years.
In June 2023, India expelled two Canadian diplomats after Canadian intelligence agencies were found to be pursuing credible links between Indian government agents and the killing of Sikh community leader Ripudaman Singh Malik in British Columbia. Malik was acquitted of the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, which killed 329 people, but he was still a controversial figure in India.
The Indian government has not provided any evidence to support its claim that a Canadian man orchestrated Suri’s assassination. However, the allegations have been widely reported in Indian media, and they have sparked a wave of anti-Canadian sentiment in India. Many Indians have called for a boycott of Canadian products, and some have even threatened to attack Canadians living in India.
The Canadian government has condemned the threats against Canadians in India, and it has called on the Indian government to take steps to protect them. It has also reiterated its call for a “full and transparent” investigation into Suri’s assassination.
The tensions between India and Canada are likely to hurt bilateral relations. The two countries have a strong economic relationship, but the current tensions could lead to a decrease in trade and investment. The tensions could also hurt people-to-people ties, as many Indians may become reluctant to travel to Canada or do business with Canadian companies.
It is important to note that the allegations against the Canadian man are still unproven. However, the fact that they have been made at all is a sign of the deep mistrust that exists between India and Canada. It is also a reminder of the long-standing tensions between the two countries over the issue of Khalistan.
It remains to be seen how the tensions between India and Canada will be resolved. However, the two countries need to find a way to bridge the divide if they want to maintain a strong relationship.
