The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have reached unprecedented heights, with New Delhi recalling six diplomats, including its high commissioner, and expelling several Canadian envoys. This conflict was ignited by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s public allegation that India was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist leader, last year, without providing substantial evidence.
National security analyst Joe Adam George argues in the National Post that the responsibility for the deteriorating bilateral ties lies squarely with Trudeau. He criticizes the Prime Minister’s approach, asserting that instead of tactfully addressing India’s concerns about alleged transnational repression, Trudeau opted for a public accusation that has exacerbated tensions between the two nations.
George emphasizes the importance of understanding India’s priorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and separatism. He notes that India grapples with unique security challenges due to its geography and history, and that the Modi administration has taken significant steps to address these issues, including the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
The article also explores the topic of Khalistani separatism, which India claims is being fueled by extremists in Canada with backing from Pakistan. George warns that by accommodating Khalistani extremists, the Trudeau government not only undermines Indian interests but also endangers innocent Sikhs who do not support militant activities. “By siding with Khalistani extremists, Ottawa conflates separatist militancy with legitimate religious expression, jeopardizing the safety of innocent Sikhs,” he asserts.
Highlighting concerns raised by the UK’s Bloom Review, George points out that Khalistani activists have exploited governmental ignorance, radicalizing youth and raising funds for their cause. He suggests that Trudeau’s actions stem from “willful blindness” for partisan purposes, despite decades of warnings from New Delhi.
Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, criticized Trudeau for triggering an international crisis by misrepresenting American intelligence to support his allegations against India. Rubin argues that Trudeau has, like his father Pierre Trudeau, allowed Khalistani militancy to flourish in Canada, effectively turning the country into a hub for terrorism and terror financing.
George concludes that Trudeau’s decision to engage in this diplomatic conflict was a serious miscalculation, drawing attention to Canada’s leniency toward international interference and cross-border crime—issues that harm both Canada and its partners. He warns that Trudeau’s actions may have far-reaching consequences for Canada’s relationships with allies and its global standing.
The author stresses India’s growing geopolitical significance and urges Trudeau to establish a new approach to relations with New Delhi if he hopes for cooperation in ongoing investigations. “India is no longer a peripheral player in geopolitics. It may allow its relationship with Canada to deteriorate further. The onus is on Trudeau to repair the damage he has done and to seek a constructive path forward with India,” George concludes.
