Canada-India Relations: Religious Clashes Reflect a Growing Diplomatic Rift...

A violent clash outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, has drawn attention to the worsening relationship between Canada and India. The confrontation involved pro-Khalistan Sikhs and members of the Hindu community, escalating into days of unrest across Canada. This incident highlights the broader political and social tensions between the two nations, fueled by deep-seated disagreements over the Khalistan separatist movement and mutual allegations of governmental interference.

Background: Khalistan Movement and Its Diaspora Influence

The Khalistan movement, advocating for an independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region, surged during the 1980s and 1990s. While its popularity has declined within India, the ideology remains alive in parts of the global Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, home to a significant Sikh population. The Indian government considers the movement a national security threat, associating it with extremist activities.

Canada, on the other hand, has maintained that its laws allow for peaceful advocacy, including separatist sentiments, so long as they don’t incite violence. This fundamental difference in perspective has strained diplomatic ties for decades.

Triggering Events: From Hardeep Singh Nijjar to Brampton Clashes

The recent turmoil is part of a larger series of events that have deteriorated Canada-India relations. In 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent pro-Khalistan activist and Canadian citizen, was assassinated in British Columbia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later accused Indian government agents of involvement in Nijjar’s killing, citing credible intelligence. India vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as “absurd and baseless.”

The Brampton violence adds to this tension. Pro-Khalistan activists protested outside a Hindu temple, which they claimed was hosting Indian consular officials. The demonstration turned violent, with both sides using flagpoles as weapons. Arrests followed, and Brampton’s city council enacted a bylaw restricting protests near religious sites.

Broader Diplomatic Fallout

This growing animosity has impacted diplomatic relations at multiple levels:

1. Expulsion of Diplomats: Both nations expelled six diplomats each, with Canada accusing Indian officials of activities ranging from homicide to extortion. India responded by labeling Canada as a haven for extremists.

2. Trade and Cooperation Threatened: Analysts warn that the bilateral trade relationship, which had been a growing area of cooperation, risks becoming a casualty of these disputes.

3. India’s Uneven Response: While Canada directly accused India of plotting Nijjar’s assassination, India launched a more tempered inquiry after the U.S. accused its officials of conspiring to kill a Sikh activist in New York.

4. International Alliances: The situation has raised concerns among Canada’s “Five Eyes” intelligence allies—the U.S., UK, Australia, and New Zealand—many of whom have been strengthening ties with India to counterbalance China.

Deep-Seated Distrust

The personal friction between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau further exacerbates the situation. Trudeau’s perceived leniency toward Sikh separatism has long irked New Delhi. Meanwhile, Modi’s Hindu nationalist government views the Khalistan issue as a serious internal threat, influencing its foreign policy stance.

Trudeau’s 2018 visit to India marked a low point, with few substantive diplomatic meetings and controversies surrounding his attendance at events linked to Khalistan supporters.

Historical and Social Context

The tension is rooted in history. India’s bloody crackdown on Sikh insurgents in the 1980s, following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, remains a source of trauma for many in the Sikh diaspora. Canada’s handling of the 1985 Air India bombing by Sikh extremists—widely regarded as the country’s worst terrorist attack—continues to haunt its relationship with India.

Recent Developments

Modi recently condemned the Brampton violence as an attack on Indian values, demanding action from the Canadian government. Trudeau, while acknowledging the right to peaceful protest, has distanced himself from the Khalistan movement, stating that it doesn’t represent the broader Sikh community.

Meanwhile, analysts argue that the current leadership in both countries has little appetite for reconciliation. With Canada’s next federal election scheduled before October 2025, the political climate may further polarize the issue.

A Relationship at a Crossroads

The escalating tensions between Canada and India over issues like Khalistan reflect deeper cultural, historical, and political divides. As both nations grapple with these challenges, their relationship faces significant strain, with repercussions for their respective diaspora communities, trade, and international alliances.

Finding a path forward will require nuanced diplomacy, acknowledgment of historical grievances, and mutual efforts to bridge the growing divide. Whether either nation is willing to make such efforts under current leadership remains an open question.