NEW DELHI: Canada clarified on Wednesday that it does not link India to violent crime on its soil, signaling a diplomatic thaw with New Delhi ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India. According to the Toronto Star, this marks a significant shift in relations between the two countries after months of tension.A senior Canadian official said in a background briefing that Ottawa is now confident that such alleged activity will not continue, the Toronto Star reported. “We have had very strong diplomatic engagement, including between the national security advisers, and I think we can say we are confident that this activity will not continue,” the official said.Another official added that the visit itself reflected that assessment: “If we thought this type of activity was still going on, I really don’t think we would be doing this visit.”The Prime Minister’s Office later clarified that Canada will continue to address transnational repression, organized crime and criminal activity within its borders while re-engaging with India through law enforcement and security channels.The Toronto Star further reported that the reassessment follows months of high-level security talks between the two countries. Officials said channels of communication between the national security adviser and law enforcement agencies remain active and engagement with India is being conducted in a “step-by-step” and cautious manner.The news agency also stressed that the Carney administration views the visit as part of broader efforts to stabilize relations with key global partners, particularly the Indo-Pacific region. However, some Sikh community leaders in Canada have expressed concerns about re-engagement, saying investigations into past allegations should continue to be transparent even as diplomatic relations improve.
Carney and India’s “pragmatic” reset
Mark Carney is scheduled to visit Mumbai and New Delhi on Thursday, his first visit to India as prime minister. He plans to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, business leaders and officials to expand cooperation in trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence and defense.Canada considers India an important economic partner. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries will reach US$30.8 billion. The two sides discussed resuming negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aims to double trade to $70 billion by 2030.The Carney government views its engagement with India as part of a broader effort to diversify Canada’s trading partnerships in a more uncertain global environment, the Toronto Star reported.However, the shift has drawn criticism from some Sikh activists. Moninder Singh, a religious leader in British Columbia, told the newspaper that he had received multiple warnings from police about threats to his life since Nijar was killed. He described the re-engagement as a betrayal.Meanwhile, Canadian officials said security dialogue with India continues. Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said Canada can both protect domestic communities and engage in international economic affairs.
Diplomatic spat after Nijar’s killing
Relations between Canada and India deteriorated sharply after the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023. Months later, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canada’s parliament that there were “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the murder.India denies the accusations, calling them “ridiculous.” The dispute has led to tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, suspension of visa services and a freeze on trade talks.In October 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claimed there was evidence linking Indian government agents to violent criminal activity in Canada, including threats against Khalistan activists. Canadian officials later said they believed Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was involved in the allegations. New Delhi strongly denies all such claims.India insists Canada is providing space to extremist and separatist elements. After Trudeau stepped down, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was ready to rebuild relations based on “mutual trust and sensitivity.” MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said the downturn in relations was due to Canada’s “license given to extremist and separatist elements.”
