OTTAWA — India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, addressed the current state of relations between the two nations, acknowledging the existence of tensions amidst recent developments. Despite affirming an overall positive relationship, he noted what he described as “a lot of noise” surrounding ongoing issues.
Verma, speaking publicly for the first time since the RCMP arrested three Indian nationals in connection with the case, suggested a link between the case and domestic crime. However, he issued a stern warning to Sikh groups in Canada advocating for the separation of their homeland from India, asserting that such actions cross “a big red line” for New Delhi, constituting a matter of national security.
“Indians will decide the fate of India, not the foreigners,” Verma emphasized during his address to the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.
The case in question revolves around the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent advocate for the creation of Khalistan, a Sikh homeland. Nijjar was fatally shot outside his temple in Surrey, B.C., last June. Despite an arrest warrant against him in India, Canada refrained from extraditing him due to insufficient evidence of serious criminal activity.
The incident sparked widespread protests, with some Sikh groups circulating posters that targeted Indian diplomats in Canada by name. Consequently, trade negotiations between Ottawa and New Delhi were paused last August, and diplomatic tensions escalated further when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly implicated the Indian government in Nijjar’s killing.
Verma highlighted deeper issues underlying recent developments, attributing them to a misunderstanding of longstanding issues by Canadians of Indian origin. He expressed concern over “national-security threats emanating from the land of Canada,” stressing India’s stance on dual nationality, where emigrants are considered foreigners.
While Canada defends the right of Sikh Canadians to free speech, provided they do not incite violence, India considers calls for separation unconstitutional. Verma reiterated that foreigners threatening India’s territorial integrity constitute a significant concern.
The envoy’s remarks come amidst ongoing investigations into whether the Indian government was involved in Nijjar’s killing. While Verma refrained from specifying whether his concerns extended beyond the Nijjar case, he acknowledged media reports, albeit cautioning that some may be “coloured.”
Despite recent tensions, Verma adopted a conciliatory tone, indicating efforts to resolve issues between the two nations. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly reiterated Canada’s commitment to a thorough RCMP investigation, refraining from further commentary on the case.
Verma also emphasized positive aspects of bilateral relations, citing significant trade figures and recent increases in exports between the two countries. Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada underscored the strategic importance of strengthening ties with India, noting Canada’s outlier status in this regard.
However, not all parties share the same optimism. Sikhs for Justice called for the cancellation of Verma’s speech, citing concerns over the Nijjar case and allegations of Indian interference. The group’s lawyer, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was named as an assassination target in a plot allegedly orchestrated by an Indian government official, though these claims remain untested in court.
Against the backdrop of India’s national election, expectations are that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue addressing issues such as Sikh separatism. While Indian officials have portrayed Canadian cabinet minister Harjit Sajjan as a Sikh nationalist, he emphasized the need to scrutinize allegations and information from any country regarding criminal activity, citing significant misinformation and disinformation from India.
In conclusion, amidst diplomatic challenges, efforts to resolve tensions between Canada and India continue, underscored by both positive bilateral relations and ongoing investigations into sensitive issues like the Nijjar case and allegations of foreign interference.