Amid the deepening ties between India and Canada, the country's Defence Minister has labeled India as a pivotal partner. Bill Blair emphasized the complexity of their relationship, acknowledging its challenges while underlining their shared responsibility to conduct a comprehensive investigation to uncover the truth. This statement comes in the wake of a revelation by a senior US diplomat in Canada regarding "shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners," which fueled Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's accusatory stance against India in connection with the assassination of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
A senior Indian security official has asserted that Canada has yet to share any substantial evidence with India, either through diplomatic channels or intelligence networks, linking India to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Here are the ten significant developments in the India-Canada discord:
OCI Registrations Revoked: The Indian government is currently in the process of revoking the registration of numerous Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders engaged in pro-Khalistan activities and anti-India propaganda.
Call for Dialogue: Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair has called for constructive talks between India and Canada to find common ground amidst the recent strain in bilateral relations.
Protest Against Trudeau: A group of protesters staged a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, accusing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of supporting Khalistani separatists.
Foreign Policy Reset: Canada is embarking on a 'foreign policy reset,' shifting away from its previous 'middle-power approach' to focus more on 'Indo-Pacific diplomacy,' as reported by Japan Times. This shift mirrors a similar episode that strained China-Canada relations.
Shared Intelligence: The US Ambassador to Canada revealed that "shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners" prompted the Trudeau administration's assertion of a potential link between individuals associated with the Indian government and the assassination of separatist Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Concerns for Indian Students: Growing tensions between India and Canada are causing anxiety among Indian parents whose children are studying in Canada. Many students are finding it challenging to concentrate on their studies due to the prevailing circumstances.
Property Confiscation: Indian investigative agencies have seized the assets of alleged Khalistani militant Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, whom they accuse of engaging in terrorist activities in India.
Skyrocketing Airfares: Last-minute airfares for India-Canada routes have surged significantly. Direct flights between New Delhi and Toronto now exceed Rs. 1.46 lakh, while the Toronto-Delhi route costs over Rs. 1.01 lakh.
Visa Services Temporarily Halted: India has temporarily suspended visa services in Canada, as indicated by a notice from the Indian mission in Canada posted by visa processing firm BLS International. Visa operations will remain suspended until further notice.
Visa Issuance Continues: Canadian authorities continue to issue visas to Indian nationals seeking entry into North America.
These developments underscore the evolving dynamics in the relationship between India and Canada, which is currently marred by diplomatic tensions and concerns over security issues.
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