India-Canada diplomatic spat: Dialogue is the only way out feels a vast majority in Indian Diaspora

Pictures: Mr I S Saluja, Shefoli Kapur, Herb Dhaliwal, Seema Jham 5. Naveen Prudhvinad Chintada, Tejinder Aujla / Special arrangement

The diplomatic spat between India and Canada continues unabated,  a vast majority in the Indian Diaspora wants an early end to it suggesting both sides should exercise extra restraint and sit across the table to resolve the issues amicably. “Both India and Canada as members of the Commonwealth have well organized administrative structures to take care of all such aberrations than taking in washing their dirty linen in public.

“Nothing comes out of such tit-for-tat policies as the public at large is the sufferer,” say several members of the Indian Diaspora, both in Canada and elsewhere in the world. Both countries affirm that their sovereignty is based on the Rule of Law and they have strong law enforcement pieces of machinery to tackle sensitive issues like foreign interference. Besides, they have diplomatic channels open to them to thrash out issues that are transnational or related to internal security or the overall well-being and security of the people. The two nations have strong people-to-people contacts besides huge bilateral trade. 

We talked to a cross-section of people from different walks of life, including politics, academics, social organisations, immigration, public affairs and media on this raging spat. Here are excerpts from what they said:

Gurbax Singh Malhi, the first turbaned Sikh to sit in a federal Parliament outside India, says: “For the public, it is not good. The  public suffers.”

Herb Dhaliwal (with pic), the first Indo-Canadian to become a federal Minister in Canada, says: “In regards to the Canada/ India relationship it has come to the lowest point in history. The Modi government is now seen, in the West, as a bunch of criminals and gangsters and the media as a mouthpiece for them.

“India was the Centrepiece of the Canadian Indo-Pacific strategy is dead. A Canadian security team travelled to India to provide evidence of the killing of a Canadian citizen to get the cooperation of India but no cooperation came only stonewalling. I hope the media and the citizens of India will hold their government accountable for its actions.

Tejinder Singh Aujla (with pic), a social activist and hockey promoter from Surrey, says that Canada is a soft target for India and its agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He feels that Canadian politicians are not as cunning as their Indian counterparts and it is why the Canadian Prime Minister spoke about foreign interference in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the House of Commons.

“We all come from farming backgrounds and know that irked by farmers' agitation, the Indian government pointed fingers at Canadians of Punjabi origin blaming them for supporting the farmers back home.

“Canadian Sikhs were happy that their Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood by them and exposed the alleged interference of Indian agents in targeting Canadians on Canadian soil. A blame game does not help anyone. It is time for the Indian Government to cooperate with the investigations and stop blaming overseas Sikhs,” concludes Tejinder Aujla, holding that Five Eyes is supportive of the Canadian stand.

 Mr I S Saluja (with pic), a veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Indian Panorama, one of the most credible newspapers in North America, says: “The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada are not the result of a sudden incident but have deep historical roots. For decades, the two countries have had differing perspectives, particularly around the presence of a sizable Punjabi Sikh community in Canada. Punjabis, especially Sikhs, began settling in Canada almost a century ago, contributing significantly to its economy, particularly in agriculture and transportation. Over time, the community became politically influential, with many Sikhs holding positions of power in Canadian politics.

“The relationship between India and Canada, however, began to sour in the 1980s, when Sikh separatists in Canada began supporting the demand for an independent Khalistan, a movement India strongly opposed. India accused Canada of providing sanctuary to these separatists, which Canada denied. This longstanding issue resurfaced with the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani leader, in 2023. Canada accused India of orchestrating the murder, a charge India has vehemently denied.

“This accusation has further strained relations, with Canada insisting that it had intelligence from the Five Eyes alliance supporting its claims. India, on the other hand, remains sensitive to foreign criticism of its handling of separatist threats. The expulsion of diplomats and media narratives on both sides have exacerbated the situation, leading to a diplomatic standoff. Resolving these tensions will likely require diplomatic intervention, possibly through a neutral third party like the United States, to prevent further damage to bilateral ties and ensure the welfare of the Punjabi community in Canada.

Seema Jham (with pic), a Public Relations and Communications professional, based in Toronto, writes:  “The ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada are undoubtedly complex. Both nations, as two of the world’s largest democracies, have much to offer each other.

“This diplomatic strain could have implications for various sectors, including trade, education, and the movement of people between the two countries.

What’s happening now should be resolved through diplomatic action and open discussion, aimed at fostering collaboration, intelligence sharing, and mutual respect, rather than blame and accusations. Both countries have enjoyed a longstanding relationship, and there is immense potential for continued cooperation.

Economically, the stakes are high. India is Canada’s 9th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $8 billion in 2023. This figure could grow significantly if current issues are resolved. As a developing country, India relies heavily on foreign direct investment, with Canada being one of its major investors. A prolonged diplomatic standoff could hinder growth for both nations.

To move forward, both sides must engage in diplomatic dialogue, showcase mutual respect, and explore new avenues for collaboration and intelligence sharing.

“I hope that both governments can engage in constructive dialogue and work toward a solution that benefits both nations,” she adds.

Shafoli Kapur (with pic), the Toronto-based Immigration specialist, says: “For the Indian community in Canada, this situation is particularly delicate. As one of the largest immigrant populations in Canada, Indian Canadians have significantly contributed to the country’s economic, social, and cultural fabric. However, this spat could increase polarization within the community, especially among Sikhs and Hindus, potentially giving rise to distrust and divisions. Many fear that the political rhetoric may amplify xenophobic sentiments or mischaracterizations of Indian diaspora groups. Additionally, visa restrictions and travel warnings could impact businesses, students, and family connections between the two countries.

“In essence, while diplomatic disagreements can evolve, the Indian community in Canada may bear a more personal brunt of the fallout, navigating rising tensions both between their home and adopted nations.

Naveen Prudhvinadh Chintada (with pic), who moved from Hyderabad some years ago to make Canada his new home, says: “As I observe the changing diplomatic ties between India and Canada over the past year, it is evident that both countries have hit rock bottom in their relationship. The deterioration became more pronounced when Mélanie Joly, Canada’s foreign minister, made a strong and bold statement, indicating that there are active plans to impose sanctions on India. Such measures could have far-reaching consequences, directly impacting the vital trade relationship between the two nations. Currently, Canada exports $4.3 billion worth of goods and services to India while importing $3.8 billion from India. In this scenario, any aggressive actions could potentially hurt Canada’s economy more, given the trade imbalance.

“Moreover, during a recent press conference, the Canadian government was unable to convincingly present or explain the evidence they claim to have against the Indian government. This raised concerns not only about the credibility of their allegations but also about the potential international fallout.

“At the same time, many Canadians are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the current government, citing weak leadership and poor decision-making. Canada, once celebrated for being a beacon of multiculturalism and inclusivity, is no longer as open or welcoming, especially toward its growing South Asian communities. These recent allegations against India could escalate tensions and make the situation for Indian communities in Canada even worse, leading to greater division and mistrust.”

Nirmal Singh, a scholar based in Florida, says: “The Five Eyes (FVEY) is an Anglosphere intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These countries are party to the multilateral UK-USA Agreement, a treaty for cooperation in signals intelligence and are understood to have supported the Canadian position so far.

The picture changed yesterday when Canada declared India’s High Commissioner and some of the High Commission staff as persons of interest in the ongoing controversy. Media reported that NZ conditionally supports Canada in its action - the caveat being if proven. The UK and Australia also have let their positions known in support of Canada. The US had a clear position so far but the stakes have been raised by recent developments.

New India Abroad in an analysis reported that “The prime ministers of India and Canada could benefit politically in the short term from the unprecedented expulsion of top diplomats from each country, analysts said on October 15.

As for Sikhs in India, they are weighed down by the problems that seem to be only getting worse for Indian Punjab as evidenced by a news report a day or so back where a Farmers group and the Arhtiyas et al were protesting together.  It indicates that the fear of a failing farm economy is now affecting all Punjabis.

My submission is that it is well recognized that there is hardly any support among Sikhs in India including those living in Punjab for the creation of Khalistan. Therefore, the development of Punjab could be delinked from the Khalistan-related happenings elsewhere.  This could go a long way in the optimization of the Punjabis in national endeavours.

Lord Rami Ranger, a senior and respected member of the Indian Diaspora in the UK, feels strongly about this tiff. He says: ” First, Canada should not support the Khalistanis. They will damage the Canada-India relationship. 

“Second, not allowed parade showing  Mrs Gandhi being shot and PM Modi in a cage. 

“Thirdly, Canada should not allow the Indian flag to be desecrated in public.

“If Canada had the evidence, it should have been discussed with India in private.

“Finally, Canada should give land to make Khalistan,” he concludes.

Tarlochan Singh, a former MP and Chairman of the Minorities Commission in India, comments: “ I feel Trudeau is overstretching the killing of Najjar. For so many months they have been investigating and could not go to the Court to convict the assailant. They are only after the collaborators. They want to blame the Indian Embassy and Raw. This is a political game. Fault lies with Trudeau who himself addresses Press Conferences. No Prime Minister of any country has done this.