How India-Canada diplomatic standoff can impact Canadian interests
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had triggered a diplomatic storm by claiming involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. His statement led to mutual recall of some diplomats and India suspending visa services in Canada.
While Canada had expressed concerns over its diplomats' safety in India, Khalistanis in Canada keep putting up large hoardings with names and photographs of Indian diplomats calling for their assassination.
With the removal of Canadian diplomats from Canada, any hopes for a thaw in diplomatic ties between India and Canada have dimmed. Canada has temporarily suspended visa and in-person consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. These will be available only at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi. India had suspended visa processing in Canada about a month ago.
Impact on Canada
Canada has been trying to downplay the crisis after India's unexpectedly strong response to Trudeau's claims. It's possible that Canada feels the diplomatic tensions will hit its interests harder than India's. Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has now called it important that diplomats remain on the ground. Earlier, Joly had said that Canada wanted private talks with India to resolve the diplomatic dispute. After Canada pulled out its 41 diplomats, Joly has ruled out any retaliatory action against India.
India is not planning to impose any measures to curb imports or investments from Canada, Reuters has reported based on information from Indian government officials. India imports potash, lentils, and energy products such as coal, coke and briquettes among other goods from Canada. India's exports to Canada include consumer goods,
