OTTAWA, Canada (Diya TV) — Canada restated its position on Indian territorial integrity, playing down Khalistani elements it faces while clarifying its stance amid strained relations with New Delhi. During a public hearing of Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission, Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison said, “There is one India, and we have made that very clear.” His remarks signal attempts to assuage concerns that Indian authorities had been speaking about the pro-Khalistan movements taking stride in Canada.
Morrison said Khalistani lobbyists work in Canada, but denied that Canada respects India’s sovereignty, adding: “It’s clear with respect to our international policy.” He added that some pro-Khalistan activities – whose legal consequences would be minuscule as they are a breach of free speech – under the country’s legislation are “abhorrent” and do cause strain, but remain within constitutional provisions. This declaration comes on the backdrop of a year of increasing tensions between the two countries following the assassination of one of the world’s most famous Khalistani separatist leaders – and designated terrorist by India – Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in June 2023 in the province of British Columbia.
India had strongly objected to the easing perceived by Canada towards pro-Khalistan activities and called for an explanation of increasing activism of these groups. The diplomatic row turned uglier when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a veiled suggestion that India was involved in the murder of Khalistan leader Nijjar. India dismissed it as “utterly absurd and politically motivated.” All this came to a head when both the countries expelled each other’s diplomats.
While the last few months have been challenging, Morrison said the doors of communication are still open between Ottawa and New Delhi. Both the nations had recently been engaged with bilateral affairs with an aim to strengthen trade, economic bonds between them. Relations began to slide after Nijjar’s case jolted tension between the two sides, which suspended negotiations on various agreements.
Publicly broadcast remarks by Morrison also form a critical clarification of Canada’s stand, giving a possible way to de-escalate the diplomatic crisis. “The two nations, ” he said, “have a relationship that’s many decades old and talking is important to find ways forward on these issues.”
But it remains a sensitive issue for both the countries since India seeks greater action on their part and Canada is balancing a host of internal policies that has rapidly reshaped that nation.