Diplomatic tensions between India and Canada escalated on Monday as India withdrew its High Commissioner and other diplomats in response to Canada’s unfounded allegations linking Indian agents to a Canadian citizen’s murder.
India vehemently condemned Canada’s investigation, labeling it as politically motivated. The decision to recall the High Commissioner came shortly after the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Canada’s charge d’Affaires to address Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s serious accusations against New Delhi.
A statement issued by the MEA read, “The Canadian Charge d’Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East) this evening. He was informed that the baseless targeting of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable.”
It further read, “It was underlined that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau Government’s actions endangered their safety. We have no faith in the current Canadian Government’s commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials.”
What do experts say about the India-Canada row?
Reports suggest the Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center asserted that the Indo-Canadian relationship has now hit rock bottom.
He further added, “This is a relationship that’s now hit rock bottom and indeed, looking at recent developments, certainly is reminiscent of India’s relations with Pakistan in terms of these extremely serious allegations being made, in terms of senior diplomats being expelled, as well as the use of blistering language in government statements, it’s all there and of course, the core allegation that we’re hearing from India that Canada is sheltering and sponsoring anti-India terrorists. This is what we’re used to hearing India say about Pakistan.”
