The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada has experienced a significant downturn due to allegations surrounding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani figure, in 2022. The United States, through its State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, claimed on Tuesday that India is not cooperating with Canada’s investigation into the assassination, sparking renewed tensions between Delhi and Ottawa. This statement comes amid a growing diplomatic rift between the two nations, with accusations flying back and forth, highlighting deeper political and historical tensions.

US Comments on India’s Lack of Cooperation

The United States has taken a firm stance, calling for India’s cooperation in the ongoing investigation led by Canada. Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, expressed concerns about India’s refusal to participate in the investigation process, stating, “When it comes to the Canadian matter, we have made clear that the allegations are extremely serious, and they need to be taken seriously. We wanted to see the government of India cooperate with Canada in its investigation. Obviously, they have not chosen that path.”

The US intervention adds a new dimension to the diplomatic dispute, as Washington urges India to engage with Canada’s law enforcement efforts regarding the Nijjar case. India, however, remains steadfast in its denial, refuting Canada’s allegations as baseless and politically motivated.

India’s Strong Rejection of Canada’s Allegations

India has rejected Canada’s claims of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing, calling them “preposterous” and accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of using the allegations to pander to Canada’s large Sikh community for political gain. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a scathing response, stating that Trudeau’s hostility toward India has been evident for years, particularly due to his political affiliations with individuals and groups that have promoted extremist and separatist agendas.

“Prime Minister Trudeau’s hostility to India has long been in evidence. In 2018, his visit to India, which was aimed at currying favour with a vote bank, rebounded to his discomfort. His Cabinet has included individuals who have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda regarding India. His naked interference in Indian internal politics in December 2020 showed how far he was willing to go in this regard,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated.

India has also taken diplomatic action in response to the allegations. It recalled its High Commissioner from Canada and expelled six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi, signalling a significant escalation in the dispute.

The Historical Tension Between Trudeau and India

India and Canada’s diplomatic relationship has been strained for years, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. His visit to India in 2018, intended to strengthen ties, was marred by controversy due to his association with pro-Khalistani figures. This incident damaged the relationship between the two nations, with India viewing Trudeau’s actions as interference in its internal affairs. Trudeau’s support for the farmers’ protests in India in 2020 further deepened the rift, as India accused him of interfering in its domestic issues.

Trudeau’s perceived alignment with Sikh separatist groups in Canada, which have been accused of supporting Khalistani terrorism, has been a significant sticking point in India-Canada relations. India has repeatedly expressed concerns over Canada’s leniency towards pro-Khalistani elements, which India views as a threat to its sovereignty and national security.

New Zealand Joins the Dispute: A ‘Five Eyes’ Perspective

The diplomatic spat has attracted international attention, with New Zealand becoming the second member of the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence-sharing alliance to comment on the issue. Winston Peters, New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed concern over the allegations against India, stating that if the claims were proven, they would be “very concerning.” Peters, however, refrained from commenting on the specifics of the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the rule of law and judicial processes.

“At the same time, we do not comment on the details of ongoing criminal investigations, in New Zealand or abroad, other than to note that it is important that the rule of law and judicial processes be respected and followed,” Peters said.

New Zealand’s cautious yet concerned stance reflects the broader international implications of the India-Canada diplomatic crisis. With multiple countries now weighing in, the dispute has expanded beyond a bilateral issue, drawing in global powers that are part of the ‘Five Eyes’ alliance.

The History of the Five Eyes Alliance

The ‘Five Eyes’ alliance is an intelligence-sharing network between five major English-speaking countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The origins of the alliance date back to World War II when the United States and the United Kingdom began collaborating on intelligence matters. After the war, this cooperation was formalized under the UKUSA Agreement in 1946, creating the foundation for what would eventually become the Five Eyes.

The alliance expanded over the years to include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and it became one of the most comprehensive intelligence-sharing partnerships in the world. The Five Eyes work together to share signals intelligence, human intelligence, and military information, with a focus on monitoring global threats and ensuring mutual security.

Despite its focus on intelligence, the alliance has also played a diplomatic role in global affairs, with members often aligning their foreign policy positions. In the case of the India-Canada dispute, the involvement of both the United States and New Zealand highlights the Five Eyes’ interest in maintaining stability and rule-of-law processes across the globe.

India’s Counter-Accusations Against Canada

In the midst of these diplomatic tensions, India has levelled its own accusations against Canada, claiming that the country has become a safe haven for individuals with links to organized crime, particularly from the Indian state of Punjab. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has criticized Canada’s immigration policies, alleging that they have allowed wanted criminals to settle in the country.

“A number of people with organized crime links from Punjab have been made welcome in Canada. We have been telling Canada that look, these are wanted criminals from India, you have given them visas. But the Canadian government has not done anything,” Jaishankar said in May this year.

India’s accusations are part of a broader grievance regarding Canada’s perceived leniency towards pro-Khalistani groups and individuals. India views these groups as a threat to its territorial integrity, as they promote the secession of Punjab from India to create an independent Khalistan.

The Nijjar Case: A Flashpoint in India-Canada Relations

The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2022 has become the most significant flashpoint in the deteriorating relationship between India and Canada. Nijjar was a prominent figure in the Khalistani separatist movement, which seeks to establish an independent Sikh state in Punjab. While India views Khalistani separatism as a form of terrorism, some members of Canada’s Sikh community, which is politically influential, have supported the movement.

Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations that India was involved in Nijjar’s assassination marked a turning point in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. India has not only rejected the allegations but has also retaliated diplomatically by withdrawing its High Commissioner and expelling Canadian diplomats.

The case has drawn international scrutiny, with countries like the US and New Zealand now calling for transparency and adherence to the rule of law. However, the dispute continues to escalate, with no clear resolution in sight.

The Road Ahead: Diplomacy or Continued Tension?

As the diplomatic standoff between India and Canada deepens, the international community is closely watching for signs of resolution. The involvement of the US and New Zealand, both key members of the Five Eyes alliance, suggests that the issue has global implications that extend beyond the bilateral relationship between Delhi and Ottawa.

For India, the allegations strike at the heart of its sovereignty and security concerns, particularly given its long-standing opposition to the Khalistani movement. For Canada, the issue is a test of its rule-of-law principles and its handling of sensitive political issues within its own borders.

The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the two countries can find a diplomatic solution or whether the tension will continue to escalate. Both sides have much at stake, with the potential for far-reaching consequences if the situation remains unresolved.

In the broader context of global geopolitics, the India-Canada dispute also highlights the challenges of navigating complex issues of national security, immigration, and international diplomacy in an increasingly interconnected world. As the Five Eyes alliance and other global powers weigh in, the resolution of this conflict may set important precedents for how such disputes are handled in the future.