As Canada’s decision to expel New Delhi’s envoy and five other diplomats becomes front-page news in India, International Trade Minister Mary Ng seeks to reassure Canadian companies with ties to the country. .
The RCMP on Monday warned the public about a spate of crimes the unit has linked to Indian government officials, including murder, extortion and extortion.
The allegations prompted diplomatic retaliation. By Saturday, India had ordered six Canadian envoys to leave the country after Canada declared them “persona non grata”.
Ng issued a statement acknowledging the “uncertainty” that Canadian businesses and investors may experience as a result. He said the government will continue to support commercial and economic relations between the two countries.
“But we need to consider the economic interests in light of the need to protect Canadians and uphold the rule of law,” she said. “We will not tolerate foreign governments threatening, extorting or harming Canadians on our territory.”
Ng said the government remains “open to dialogue” with India and looks forward to continuing a “valuable relationship”.
RCMP and other Canadian officials said they presented evidence to India early last weekend. They said New Delhi was refusing to cooperate with police investigations.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said that’s why Canada declared six diplomats persona non grata, one of the harshest penalties imposed under the Vienna Convention.
India maintains it has no evidence of government involvement in Canada’s crimes. Six Canadian diplomats were ordered to leave the country.
Bina Najibullah, vice president of research at the Asia Pacific Foundation, said she is watching to see how her Canadian peers react to the “unprecedented and extraordinary” news.
That could mean a diplomatic move behind the scenes, or even a public show of support for Canada.
“Everyone will be watching the U.S. response,” she said.
“At this point, for Canada to get any kind of cooperation from India and hold India accountable for what happened, it needs to feel some pressure on India, and it needs to feel some reason for India to cooperate. there will be. “
Najibullah said Jolie’s accusations of criminal involvement by active diplomats were notable, and said violence linked to the Indian government has only increased since Canada made its concerns public last year.
RCMP say they have obtained evidence linking Indian government officials in Canada to violent crimes including blackmail, extortion and the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The revelations are expected to further deteriorate relations between India and Canada following mutual expulsions of diplomats.
In September 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadian intelligence had “credible” information about a “potential link” between the Indian government and the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. He announced that he was investigating the information.
Najibullah said Ottawa sent a senior official to present evidence to the Indian side over the weekend and made its case “very clearly and aggressively.”
“Canada did what it thought was necessary,” she said. “We are in uncharted territory. It has implications not only for diplomatic relations, but also for Canada’s public safety and national security.”
Najibullah also said it was unusual for diplomats to be expelled on criminal charges. “We’re not dealing with a rogue state here. We’re dealing with a very important international player here,” she said.
