Indian opposition’s ‘disingenous’ stance on India Canada diplomatic spate

India-Canada relations are at an all-time low in the wake of the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada has alleged that Indian diplomats were involved in the killing, but fails to provide any factual evidence to back its allegations. This row started last year, but things escalated recently after Canada made the Indian High Commissioner, a “person of interest” in the alleged killing of Nijjar. 

The move led to the estrangement of relations as both sides expelled each other’s diplomats. As all eyes lie on how the evolving situation turns, the Indian opposition seems to be trying to seize the opportunity to exert pressure on the Modi govt.

Recently, Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary, and media in charge took to X and said that he hopes PM Modi’s govt will take LoP in both Houses along with other opposition party leaders into confidence on the ‘extremely sensitive and delicate’ issue. 

Surprisingly, his post lacked any statement on solidarity with the govt when national integrity is at stake as it’s the Indian High Commissioner who is under question and Canada’s move is likely a violation of the International Law regarding immunity of diplomats. 

Moreover, specifically mentioning LoP highlights his major concern in setting the goal post where Rahul Gandhi could play. Given that, in light of the reactions of Canadian opposition, Jairam Ramesh’s statement fell short to cater what a citizen expects from an opposition. 

After the Canadian force RCMP made allegations, Conservative Party’s Pierre Poilievre called allegations concerning and added that ‘foreign intervention is unacceptable.’ Trudeau’s big game to use India to woo Khalistani voters is well known by all, still, the biggest opposition leader chose to comment on his commitment to national integrity, instead of securing brownie points. 

Another opposition party in India that spoke about the issue was CPI(M), which iterated a somewhat similar stance of taking the opposition into confidence, but also raised concern over the activities of the anti-India Khalistani elements on Canadian soil. 

CPI(M) also said that protecting national security is the job of the Indian govt, for which it has cross-party support. The statement, though coming from an opposition party, clearly shows what Jairam Ramesh lacked or skipped willingly. 

However, CPI(M) stated that the govt must also take the opposition into confidence regarding an allegation of the role of Lawrence Bishnoi. It must be noted here that India has denied any accusations, whatsoever, regarding the killing of Nijjar. 

While RCMP has been trying to drag high-level Indian diplomats with a notorious gangster jailed for a series of crimes, India has maintained that the case of Nijjar’s killing could be a part of gang war which has become prevalent in Canada. In the wake of the possibility that the Nijjar’s killing could be a result of a gang war, it is disingenuous to drag the Indian government, in any manner, into the killing of a Khalistani terrorist, albeit whether by armed assailants linked with Lawrence Bishnoi gang or any other gang actively wreaking havoc in Canada.

Despite India repeatedly asking for evidence from the Canadian side, Justin Trudeau’s government has failed to substantiate his brazen allegations against India. After making the allegations public in the Canadian parliament, he has changed his remarks from “credible evidence” to “credible allegations” to India “possibly” involved, exhibiting a lack of confidence in his theory. 

In fact, Canada is trying to fabricate evidences as it relentlessly called upon India to cooperare in probe when India is vehemenrly demanding proof of accusations to begin with. 

By mentioning Lawrence Bishnoi in their official statement, CPIM has, knowingly or unknowingly, given needless credence to the baseless conspiracy theory of Trudeau-controlled RCMP. With Lawrence Bishnoi, the RCMP is trying to draw similarities between the govt stand and Lawrence’s gang against Khalistanis.