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India’s Strategic Diplomacy: Navigating Tensions with Canada, China

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India aims to secure its interests while fostering stability with both Canada and China. However, the path forward will require careful consideration of both diplomatic consequences and long-term national security implications, particularly as India strengthens its role on the global stage.

By MC Meetei

On November 6, 2024, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is set to address a Parliamentary Panel on External Affairs, where he will provide updates on two critical aspects of India’s foreign relations: the increasingly strained relationship with Canada and the recently improved ties with China. The briefing will cover the recent escalation in diplomatic hostilities with Canada, following accusations by Canadian officials implicating Indian authorities in the murder of Harjeet Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani figure, which New Delhi categorically denies. The briefing is also expected to outline India’s latest diplomatic strategies with China, as both nations have agreed to resume patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

Background: India-Canada Relations Under Strain

For decades, India and Canada maintained cordial diplomatic relations, with a shared commitment to democracy, trade, and diaspora-led people-to-people connections. However, in recent years, tensions have surfaced, primarily due to Canada’s perceived leniency toward pro-Khalistani elements. The Khalistan movement, advocating for a separate Sikh state, has found a prominent foothold among some segments of the Sikh diaspora in Canada. This has become a point of contention for India, which views Khalistan activism as a security threat, particularly as it often involves anti-India rhetoric and support for separatist activities.

Recent Escalation: The Nijjar Controversy

The current rift between the two countries took an unprecedented turn after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused the Indian government of involvement in the murder of Harjeet Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and prominent figure in pro-Khalistani circles, was killed in British Columbia. On 18 June 2023, Nijjar was shot and killed in his pickup truck by two masked gunmen in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. He walked out of the gurdwara that evening and was gunned down approximately two minutes later, in his Dodge Ram. He was hit by 34 bullets. Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison alleged that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah directed a campaign of violence, intimidation, and intelligence-gathering targeting Sikh separatists in Canada. India strongly rebuked these claims, calling them “absurd and baseless” and emphasizing that India does not support or condone such actions.

India has consistently maintained that Canada’s lenient stance toward pro-Khalistani activities on its soil, including rallies, fundraisers, and inflammatory speeches by prominent figures, has strained diplomatic ties. New Delhi views this as a failure by the Canadian government to prevent activities that threaten India’s unity and security.

Diplomatic Fallout

On 14 October 2024, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, as persona non grata, after federal police said an investigation found that Indian government agents were involved in a “campaign of violence” against dissidents in the North American country. Following the accusations, India withdrew its High Commissioner to Canada after Canadian security officials listed him as a “person of interest” in the Nijjar case. This withdrawal was a significant diplomatic move, signaling India’s dissatisfaction with the Canadian government’s handling of the situation. Furthermore, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, on October 14, in response to Canada’s own expulsion of Indian officials.

Canada, in turn, has repeatedly stated that its actions are part of an ongoing investigation and that it expects cooperation from India. However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reiterated that Canada’s accusations lack substantial evidence and that diplomatic expulsions were a necessary measure in light of the allegations. The tension has affected trade discussions, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties, with both sides taking a more guarded approach.

On 18 September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Parliament, “Over the past number of weeks, Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India” and Nijjar’s killing. Trudeau called upon the Indian government to cooperate with the investigation, and said: “Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty”. Before a cabinet meeting the next day, Trudeau said: “We are not looking to provoke or escalate. We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them”.

Parliamentary Panel Briefing

Foreign Secretary Misri’s briefing 6 November 2024 may focus on the critical elements of India’s position on Canada, addressing key issues, including:

  • India’s stance on Khalistani elements: India has repeatedly urged Canada to take stronger measures to prevent the Khalistan movement from gaining momentum within its borders, arguing that allowing such activities compromises India’s sovereignty and security.
  • Diplomatic measures: Misri might explain the rationale behind India’s decision to withdraw diplomats and cut down Canada’s diplomatic presence in India, including the expulsion of key diplomats.
  • Ongoing allegations and accusations: He may address the importance of evidence-based claims in diplomatic relations and refute the allegations levied by Canada, highlighting the lack of proof in the Nijjar case.

India-China Relations: A Parallel in Diplomacy

Apart from addressing India-Canada relations, Misri might discuss the recent upswing in India’s relationship with China. The two nations have been at odds over territorial disputes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, with clashes and military standoffs occurring periodically over the past decade. However, a recent breakthrough in negotiations has led to the decision to resume joint patrolling in the disputed area, a development that signals a potential easing of tensions.

This positive shift in India-China relations underlines a critical aspect of Indian foreign policy, highlighting the contrast between India’s strained ties with Canada and its efforts to mend relations with China. In his briefing, Misri would elaborate on the diplomatic strategies employed to stabilise relations with China, such as bilateral dialogues, de-escalation measures, and an emphasis on cooperative engagement.

Broader Implications for India’s Foreign Policy

The conflicting trajectories of India’s relationships with Canada and China illustrate the complexities of contemporary diplomacy. While India has had to take a defensive stance with Canada, the proactive efforts to ease tensions with China reflect a commitment to maintaining regional stability. These two cases bring to light several key elements in India’s foreign policy approach:

  • Non-interference and Mutual Respect: India’s stance toward Canada highlights its principle of non-interference, insisting that other nations respect its sovereignty. India expects similar respect from its partners, especially concerning internal security threats such as separatism.
  • Regional Stability and Cooperation: In the context of China, India recognises the importance of stability along the LAC, given its implications for peace and security in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
  • Diaspora and Identity Politics: The India-Canada relationship reveals the challenges of managing diaspora communities and identity politics. India’s large Sikh diaspora in Canada has complex political allegiances, which impact diplomatic relations between the two countries.
  • Multilateralism and International Alliances: India’s approach to both Canada and China demonstrates its reliance on multilateral diplomacy to resolve disputes. India is likely to continue engaging with international allies, seeking support to counteract unilateral actions by countries that impact its sovereignty.

Domestic Reactions in India

Within India, the allegations by Canada and the subsequent diplomatic responses have stirred public debate and concern. Nationalist groups and the Indian public have largely backed the government’s response, emphasising the importance of safeguarding India’s sovereignty and condemning any external support for secessionist movements. Political leaders across the spectrum have criticised Canada’s stance, calling for stricter measures to ensure that India’s national interests are protected.

In Parliament, there have been calls for increased scrutiny of foreign relations policies, particularly in light of issues concerning national security and international perceptions. Misri’s briefing to the parliamentary panel is, therefore, not only crucial for clarifying India’s stance but also for rallying political consensus on how to manage international relations amid growing tensions.

The Role of the Sikh Diaspora

Canada’s large Sikh population has historically played a significant role in its political landscape, with many Canadian Sikhs advocating for social justice and civil rights. However, a small but vocal subset of this population has supported pro-Khalistani sentiments, causing friction with India. Canada’s commitment to freedom of expression has allowed these voices to gain prominence, but India argues that this leniency has crossed the line into supporting separatist agendas that harm bilateral relations.

India has continually voiced its disapproval of any Canadian platform given to Khalistani groups, which it views as emboldening separatist sentiments that could destabilize India’s internal peace. The diplomatic fallout from the Nijjar controversy has once again brought this issue to the forefront, with India urging Canada to curb the activities of groups that challenge India’s sovereignty.

What Lies Ahead?

The future of India-Canada relations remains uncertain, with both sides entrenched in their respective positions. Canada insists on its right to investigate Nijjar’s murder without interference, while India maintains that its sovereignty should be respected and that Canada must address the issue of Khalistani separatism within its borders. If Canada continues its current approach, India may consider further reducing diplomatic ties and reconsidering trade relations.

In the broader context of India’s foreign policy, the situation with Canada reflects a complex challenge. On the one hand, India values its diaspora communities abroad and supports their contributions to host countries. However, it also expects these nations to ensure that activities on their soil do not threaten India’s unity.

Concluding Thoughts

As Foreign Secretary Misri briefs the Parliamentary panel on November 6, his address would provide a critical overview of India’s approach to handling the diplomatic challenges posed by Canada, while also highlighting the recent improvements in India-China relations. This meeting will be an opportunity for the Indian government to clarify its stance on sovereignty, non-interference, and respect for national integrity.

This briefing stresses the need for clear, consistent diplomatic engagement as India navigates these complex international challenges. Through strategic dialogues, India aims to secure its interests while fostering stability with both countries. However, the path forward will require careful consideration of both diplomatic consequences and long-term national security implications, particularly as India strengthens its role on the global stage.

In the delicate balance of foreign relations, India’s handling of the Canada and China cases will likely shape its approach to international diplomacy in the years to come.

(The writer is a Coordinator of Manipur International Youth Centre – MIYC. He can be reached at [email protected])

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