The bilateral relations between India and Canada are on a downward spiral. The latest statements made by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have not gone down well with New Delhi which is mulling further steps in response to the shocking allegations of "agents" of India collaborating with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to spread terror on Canadian soil. The language used by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the targeting of the Indian ambassador have escalated tensions and prompted New Delhi to examine options.
If the hostile behaviour continues and escalates further, sources in government said, one of the options on the table can be examining the possibility of closing down the Consulates, leaving only the Embassies functioning at a minimum level. The Indian diplomatic representation in Canada comprises the High Commission at Ottawa and the Consulates General at Toronto and Vancouver. Already, the Indian diplomats have faced threats from Khalistani operatives, said sources, and attacks on Indian consulates have continued despite repeated efforts by New Delhi to prompt Ottawa into action.
Recently, the government decided to withdraw High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and other targeted diplomats and officials from Canada, but the next step of examining the current functioning of the consulates and a possible relook at the need for them to continue in the present manner, is likely to send out a strong message to Ottawa about India's displeasure with the uncorroborated accusations of the RCMP, which have national security implications for New Delhi.
The tensions between India and Canada is also strengthening a view within the Indian security establishment about safeguarding its own security interests in the face of an unreliable bilateral relationship which has the potential of impacting the India-US counter terror partnership, where action against Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is a priority for New Delhi.
In a strong message to Canada, India has said that it reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau government’s support for extremism, violence and separatism against India.
The Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that ever since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian government has not shared any evidence with New Delhi despite several requests from the Indian side.
At multiple diplomatic and security talks, India has raised the issue of wanted terrorists and gangsters operating from Canadian soil but the tipping point came when the gang wars spilled onto Canadian streets with killings of several gangsters including Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was gunned down in Surrey, British Columbia in June last year.