INDIA/CANADA: Rebuilding strained diplomatic ties between India and Canada is expected to be a long process after both sides have embraced uncompromising stances, even in the wake of New Delhi’s unexpected step to alleviate certain visa restrictions for Canadians.
India recently opted to partially reinstate visa services, a move that followed a suspension prompted by its displeasure with Ottawa’s assertion that Indian operatives could have played a role in the assassination of a prominent Sikh separatist leader from the state of Punjab in Canada.
Accusations and counter-accusations since that claim, which India vehemently refutes, have severely damaged the historically close relationship between the two nations, which have deep connections through the Sikh diaspora spanning nearly a century.
Despite India’s recent visa relaxation, which may have sparked hopes of better relations, it doesn’t represent a significant breakthrough. Experts and officials from both sides agree that there is little motivation to expedite a return to normalcy in their diplomatic ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up for the May Indian national elections, so it doesn’t appear that either New Delhi or Ottawa will make any significant moves towards reconciliation anytime soon.
India’s ambassador to Canada from 2020 to 2022, Ajay Bisaria, stated that after “quiet diplomacy,” the relationship is in a “de-escalation phase.”
Despite the reprieve, tens of thousands of Indians and individuals of Indian descent who currently reside in Canada or intend to study there are anticipated to find it more difficult to travel as a result of the visa restrictions.
While both governments have spared their business and trade connections, the lingering discord has postponed discussions regarding a free-trade agreement and poses a threat to Canada’s Indo-Pacific plans as a member of the Group of Seven. In this context, New Delhi plays a crucial role in efforts to counter an increasingly assertive China.
‘Modest de-escalation’
On September 18, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada was actively investigating credible claims connecting Indian government agents to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old who had advocated for the fringe cause of establishing an independent Sikh homeland, Khalistan, separate from India.
As a response, Canada expelled India’s intelligence chief in Ottawa. In retaliation, India suspended 13 types of visas for Canadians and reduced Canada’s diplomatic presence in India, a move that Ottawa argued breached the Vienna Conventions.
Then, on October 25, New Delhi said that it would start issuing visas again under four categories. According to Indian officials, this move will facilitate travel to India for those of Indian descent during the upcoming wedding season, which starts this month.
Officials in both India and Canada spoke anonymously, as they were not permitted to discuss the matter openly.
The Indian foreign ministry did not provide any official comment. Canada’s foreign ministry referred to statements made by Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie on October 30.
“We have a long-term approach when it comes to India because this is a relationship that has spanned decades, and we all know that we have very strong people-to-people ties with the country,” said Jolie, adding that she continued to converse with her Indian counterpart.
Canada boasts the largest Sikh population outside of Punjab, with 770,000 individuals identifying Sikhism as their religion in the 2021 census. India serves as Canada’s leading source of international students, making up 40% of study permit holders and a crucial component of Canada’s rapidly growing international education industry, contributing over C$20 billion ($15 billion) to the economy each year.
Tensions between India and Canada over Sikh separatism have persisted since the 1980s.
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