The diplomatic rift between Canada and India has deepened further as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lashed out at his own intelligence officials, calling them “criminals” for allegedly leaking unverified information linking Indian leaders to criminal activities on Canadian soil.
Speaking to reporters in Brampton on Friday, Trudeau criticized the leaks, stating that “criminals leaking top-secret information to the media have consistently gotten those stories wrong.”
This fiery statement comes in the wake of mounting scrutiny over a recent Globe and Mail report that claimed Canadian security agencies believed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were aware of violent plots in Canada. Trudeau’s remarks appeared to cast doubt on the credibility of those leaks, further fueling controversy.
The Canadian government was quick to address the allegations made in the media report. In a public statement, Nathalie Drouin, Trudeau’s intelligence adviser, categorically refuted the claims, asserting that: “The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of the evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate.”
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This statement was aimed at diffusing the speculation ignited by the media, but it underscores the growing strain on Canada-India relations, which have been deteriorating since Trudeau’s controversial comments in September last year.
At the center of the diplomatic fallout is the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan separatist who held Canadian citizenship. In September 2023, Trudeau accused Indian agents of being “potentially involved” in Nijjar’s murder outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia. The allegation sent shockwaves across both nations and led to a dramatic downturn in bilateral relations.
New Delhi firmly denied the claims, dismissing them as “absurd” and politically motivated. India has repeatedly emphasized that the root cause of the tension lies in Canada’s permissive stance toward pro-Khalistan elements operating freely on its soil.
India has expressed deep concerns over Canada becoming a safe haven for separatist groups advocating for Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh state. The Indian government has accused Ottawa of allowing these groups to conduct anti-India activities with impunity, further straining relations.
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In response to Trudeau’s allegations, India expelled Canada’s top diplomat, a move mirrored by Ottawa. Diplomatic exchanges between the two nations have since grown colder, with no sign of reconciliation on the horizon.
The already tense relationship was further strained this week by the Globe and Mail report alleging Indian involvement in violent plots in Canada. The newspaper cited anonymous sources within Canadian intelligence, claiming that Indian leaders, including Modi and Jaishankar, were aware of these activities.
Trudeau’s frustration was evident in his sharp remarks on Friday, as he dismissed such reports as unreliable, saying: “We have seen, unfortunately, that criminals leaking top-secret information to the media have consistently gotten those stories wrong.”
The Prime Minister also pointed to the findings of Canada’s national inquiry into foreign interference, which highlighted the unreliability of leaked information from intelligence sources.
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The escalating diplomatic spat has significant ramifications beyond Canada and India. Analysts warn that worsening ties could impact trade relations, international partnerships, and security cooperation.
For Canada, the controversy has exposed vulnerabilities in handling sensitive intelligence and managing its international relationships. For India, the issue underscores its growing frustration with what it sees as a lack of action against groups threatening its sovereignty from foreign soil.
As tensions between the two nations escalate, both sides are doubling down on their respective narratives. Canada continues to stand by its claims of foreign interference, while India steadfastly denies any wrongdoing and demands accountability for pro-Khalistan elements in Canada.
The situation has become a diplomatic standoff with no resolution in sight. Experts believe that without open dialogue and mutual cooperation, the relationship between Canada and India may face prolonged instability, affecting not only bilateral ties but also regional and global dynamics.
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While Trudeau’s remarks aim to deflect attention from the controversial media reports, they also highlight the deepening trust deficit between Canadian leadership and its intelligence agencies. This growing divide may further complicate efforts to mend ties with India, a relationship already fraught with historical and political sensitivities.
The Canada-India diplomatic crisis continues to evolve with new twists, media reports, and sharp rhetoric. As both nations navigate the turbulent waters of this controversy, the world watches closely to see whether dialogue or discord will shape the future of this critical relationship.