Canada’s public accusation of Indian officials' involvement in the 2023 murder of Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar has worsened bilateral relations.
On November 3, a consular services camp organized by the Indian mission in Canada was violently disrupted by Khalistan activists at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton.
This led to further protests and violence.
Both Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Trudeau condemned the violence.
Canada has about 19 lakh people of Indian origin, making up around 4% of its population.
Many have strong ties with India and rely on consular services, which are now disrupted due to the tensions.
India has criticized Canada for failing to protect its diplomats, urging the government to prevent communal violence.
Bilateral trade is valued at $19 billion, but stalled talks on a trade agreement and disruptions in consular services could affect future economic ties.
New Canadian visa restrictions, including for students, could impact Indian applicants amid rising tensions.
Despite the diplomatic rift, India and Canada still have common ground on several global issues, such as climate change, and people-to-people ties remain valuable.
While full normalization of relations will take time, both countries must prioritize the safety and functioning of their consular services to prevent further disruption.
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