Amidst strained ties between India and Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has firmly stated his country’s commitment to the ‘One India’ policy and its support for India’s territorial integrity. This declaration comes in the wake of an ongoing diplomatic dispute that has seen both countries expel diplomats from each other’s territory.
Trudeau made his remarks during a public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian electoral processes and democratic institutions. He emphasized that Canada’s official policy is to defend India’s territorial integrity, stating, “My position and Canada’s position is to defend the territorial integrity of India. ‘One India’ is official Canadian policy, and the fact that there are a number of people in Canada who advocate otherwise does not make it Canadian policy.”
However, Trudeau also expressed concern over alleged interference and violence within Canada that may be connected to the Indian government. The tension escalated after the 2023 murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, with India naming Canada’s envoy as a “person of interest.” This led to a further exchange of expulsions of diplomats.
Trudeau revealed that the Canadian government is seeking India’s assistance in investigating whether the alleged interference and violence originated from a rogue element or was directed by higher authorities within the Indian government. “It seems like folks within the Indian government have decided to create violence and unlawfulness in Canada as a way of demonstrating the point that they are trying to make that there is violence and unlawfulness in Canada and I think that is exceptionally egregious as an approach to as a neighbor, a sovereign democracy,” he said.
Acknowledging the deep people-to-people ties between the two countries, Trudeau expressed Canada’s desire to avoid escalating the situation. “We don’t want to be in this situation of picking a fight with a significant trading partner with whom we have deep people-to-people ties, and a long history and are fellow democracies,” he said. However, he also made it clear that Canada would not tolerate interference in its sovereignty.
“The Indian government made a horrific mistake in thinking that they could interfere as aggressively as they did in the safety and sovereignty of Canada, and we need to respond in order to ensure Canadian’s safety,” he emphasized. While Canada is not seeking to provoke a conflict with India, Trudeau highlighted the seriousness of the situation and asserted that Canada will take appropriate measures to protect its interests. “What other steps we will take will be determined in due course, but every step of the way our single overarching priority is ensuring that we are keeping all Canadians safe,” he added.
This incident has brought to light the delicate relationship between India and Canada, and the challenges of navigating complex geopolitical issues. It remains to be seen how the two countries will resolve this diplomatic dispute and navigate the path forward.