- Allegations of Indian Involvement: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that agents of the Indian government were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023 ยน.
- India’s Response: India denied the allegations, calling them “absurd and motivated” ยน.
- Diplomatic Expulsions: Both countries engaged in tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, with Canada withdrawing 41 diplomats and their family members from India ยน.
- Visa Restrictions: India temporarily suspended visa services for Canadian citizens and later resumed partial services for four categories: entry, business, medical, and conference visas ยน.
- Threats to Air India: The pro-Khalistan Sikhs for Justice group threatened Air India flights, prompting Indian officials to request enhanced security from Canada ยน.
- Canada’s Sikh Population: Canada has the largest Sikh population outside Punjab, with 770,000 people reporting Sikhism as their religion in the 2021 census ยน.
- Economic Impact: The diplomatic row may hinder the movement of tens of thousands of Indians and people of Indian origin who live in Canada or plan to study there ยน.
- FTA Discussions: The row has halted discussions on a free-trade deal between India and Canada, which could impact Canada’s Indo-Pacific plans ยน.
- Expert Insights: Experts believe that mending the frayed diplomatic relations will be a long process, with the relationship being in a “deep crisis” ยน.
- Future Implications: The diplomatic standoff may delay discussions on a free-trade deal and threaten Canada’s Indo-Pacific plans, where New Delhi is critical to efforts to check an increasingly assertive China ยน.
