India – Canada Relations: Both nations found themselves embroiled in a heated dispute after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made incendiary claims regarding the possible role of Indian operatives in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Khalistani extremist, which occurred on June 18 in British Columbia. It’s worth noting that India had previously classified Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
India dismissed these accusations as “absurd” and “politically motivated,” responding by expelling a high-ranking Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal measure, mirroring Ottawa’s earlier expulsion of an Indian official in connection with the same incident.
Defence Minister Blair speaks on India – Canada row
Before the disclosure of what Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau termed “credible intelligence,” Canada had been actively pursuing enhanced trade, defense, and immigration collaborations with India.
During an interview, Mr. Blair conveyed that Canada intends to persist in advancing these partnerships despite the ongoing investigation into the allegations, emphasising the significance of the relationship with India. He said, “We understand that this can be, and has proven to be, a challenging issue with respect to our relationship with India.”
Continuing further, he added, “But at the same time, we have a responsibility to defend the law, defend our citizens, and at the same time make sure that we conduct a thorough investigation and get to the truth.”
Blair acknowledges the trade
Mr. Blair affirmed that Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy remained of paramount importance, resulting in an augmented military presence in the region and additional investments in patrol capabilities. This strategy entails a commitment of $492.9 million over five years for these military priorities, out of a total allocation of nearly $2.3 billion over the same period.
However, on Thursday, in light of escalating tensions stemming from the Nijjar case, India called upon Canada to take firm action against terrorists and individuals with anti-India affiliations operating from within its borders. In response, India suspended visa services for Canadians, further exacerbating the strain in their bilateral relations, which had already reached an unprecedented low due to the Nijjar incident.
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