‘Not Looking to Escalate Situation’: Canada PM Says Will Continue to Engage ‘Responsibly’ With India

As the diplomatic stand-off between India and Canada continues, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Ottawa is not looking to escalate the situation with India.

Trudeau, who created a diplomatic storm after he linked the Government of India with the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, said Canada will responsibly and constructively with New Delhi.

“Canada is not looking to escalate the situation with India, will continue to engage responsibly and constructively with New Delhi. We want to be on the ground in India to help the Canadian families there,” Reuters quoted Trudeau as saying.

The relations between both the countries are seeing an all-time low after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged, in his Parliament, the involvement of a “foreign agent” in the killing of Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He even claimed that he had intelligence inputs and evidence that the Indian government could be behind Nijjar’s death.

Nijjar was killed by unidentified gunmen outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, on June 18. He was the chief of banned Khalistan Tiger Force, and was designated a terrorist by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in 2020. Interpol had also issued red corner notice against him quite a few times, the first one being in 2016.

India Asks Canada to Recall Its Diplomatic Staff: Govt Sources

After suspending visa processes for Canadians, New Delhi wants Ottawa to recall more than two dozen of its diplomats from India, according to top government sources.

Top government sources also said Canada cannot be “given free hand” as their non-cooperation in terror investigations is one of the main reasons why New Delhi is heading towards taking the decision to downsize Canada’s diplomatic presence in India. “Their top officials (Canada’s) come and meet and promise, but don’t deliver.”

Sources say the final decision has not been taken yet in the matter, but the discussion has been taking place for almost two weeks now.

The latest development means that New Delhi does not see any high-strength diplomatic requirement from its Canadian counterpart in India.

India had earlier asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country after suspending visas for Canadians.