India-Canada spat

THE escalation of the bitter dispute between India and Canada that has simmered for over a year marks a new low in relations. India has gone beyond denouncing Canada's fresh charge that top Indian diplomats are 'persons of interest' linked to the killing of radical Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar — designated a terrorist by India — in June 2023. New Delhi has openly expressed its lack of trust in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It has accused him of showing hostility towards India as part of vote-bank politics. The allegations levelled are driven by his domestic agenda. A flurry of diplomatic exits has deepened the chill. Unlike the spat last year, there seems little effort to exercise restraint. The gloves are off, and it is Trudeau who must take the blame.

Increasingly unpopular at home after almost nine years in office, Trudeau is facing pressure from within the ruling Liberal Party to quit. Amid mounting discontent, his party is projected to lose the elections that must be held by October next year. Trudeau's appeasement of Sikh extremist elements is being linked to a desperate bid to hold on to power. His decision to go public, yet again, with a new set of allegations implicating India has the potential to rupture ties to a point of no return. It also intensifies a broader diplomatic crisis. New Delhi has repeatedly voiced concern over the support for separatist movements within Canada. The issue now assumes centre stage.

The Indian government faces the curious allegation of running a criminal network to target Sikh separatists. It's strange, given that India has been asking Ottawa to rein in Indian-origin gangsters. An offensive brand of politics is jeopardising India-Canada ties. It is in neither country's interest. Diplomacy must prevail, behind closed doors.