| 11 October 2023
| Christie Anto
Washington, D.C., USA - In the midst of escalating tensions between Canada and India, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly held a discreet meeting with India's Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, according to sources cited by the British newspaper Financial Times. The meeting took place in Washington, with neither the Canadian nor Indian foreign ministries confirming the details.
The diplomatic rift between the two countries began after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was fatally shot by two masked gunmen on June 18, igniting a war of words and diplomatic repercussions.
Canada's allegations were met with a strong and immediate rebuttal from India, which dismissed the charges as "absurd" and "motivated." In response to Canada's expulsion of an Indian official, New Delhi reciprocated by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat, further exacerbating the situation.
However, amidst this contentious backdrop, the recent secret meeting between the Canadian and Indian foreign ministers suggests a willingness on both sides to engage in diplomatic dialogue and find a resolution to the strained relationship. The meeting also coincided with reports that Canadian diplomats had been given a deadline to leave India, potentially putting their diplomatic immunity at risk.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly had previously stated that they were working to resolve the issue privately, emphasizing the importance of keeping diplomatic conversations discreet. She reiterated Canada's commitment to ensuring the safety of Canadian diplomats while engaging constructively with India.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Canada's desire not to "escalate the situation" with India. He pledged to continue engaging responsibly and constructively with New Delhi, further underscoring the importance of diplomacy in resolving the dispute.
A recent report by Canada's CTV News revealed that Canada had relocated approximately 30 diplomatic staff members from India to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. This move appears to be part of Canada's efforts to manage the escalating tensions between the two nations.
The diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, which has led to a significant reduction in diplomatic staff in both countries, demonstrates the critical need for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. As both nations take steps to de-escalate the situation, the international community will be watching closely to see if the secretive diplomatic meeting in Washington serves as a turning point in the strained relationship between the two countries.
While the details of the meeting remain undisclosed, the world will be awaiting further developments in this ongoing diplomatic saga as Canada and India navigate the delicate path towards reconciliation.
Comments