khalistani row: India-Canada ties all time low: Delhi expels senior Canadian diplomat, asks to leave in five days – The Economic Times
The article discusses Canada’s recent claim of having intelligence potentially linking Indian government agents to the murder of a pro-Khalistan Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This revelation is significant because it hasn’t triggered the expected outrage among democratic allies. Canada’s diplomatic isolation in this matter is attributed to India’s growing importance in Western calculations as a counterweight to China.
Despite discussing the issue with key allies like the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, the response has been restrained. The UK, caught between supporting Canada and not antagonizing India, has refrained from public criticism. The United States expressed concern but didn’t issue a joint condemnation with Canada.
The article highlights the importance of India in global politics, with nations hesitant to confront India due to their economic and strategic interests, especially in countering China. Canada’s options seem limited without concrete evidence of Indian state involvement in the assassination attempt.
The muted response is contrasted with the 2018 Skripal poisoning incident, where Russia faced widespread condemnation. Experts suggest that if Canada provides irrefutable evidence, allies may become more supportive. However, Canada’s ability to influence India is currently constrained.
Canadian sources reveal that they acted because domestic media was about to break the story, emphasizing the need for responsible handling of the situation, given India’s global opportunities.
In summary, Canada’s claim regarding Indian government agents’ involvement in a murder has not received the expected support from Western allies due to India’s rising geopolitical significance, causing diplomatic isolation for Canada.
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