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As diplomatic tensions mount, questions loom over the potential impact on trade and immigration
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Bilateral trade between Canada and India amounts to billions of dollars, and Canada hosts nearly 1.7 million people of Indian origin
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Although neither country has imposed tariffs or other economic retaliations, experts caution that worsening relations could disrupt economic growth and cooperation in the future
In a statement amid escalating tensions, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned recent violence against Indian diplomats and religious sites in Canada, describing them as “cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats.” His comments follow violent incidents at a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, which he called a “deliberate attack,” intensifying a diplomatic rift between India and Canada, ddnews.gov.in reported.
The ongoing conflict between the two nations surfaced after both countries expelled each other’s top diplomats last month. Canadian officials alleged that India was involved in violent actions targeting Indian dissidents on Canadian soil—an accusation that India firmly denies.
In response to the incident in Brampton, Modi posted on X, stating, “Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.” The Brampton police have since arrested three individuals connected to the incident and stated that “several acts of unlawfulness continue to be actively investigated.”
Relations between India and Canada have deteriorated since 2023 when Ottawa accused India of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and vocal Khalistan advocate whom India labeled a terrorist
India strongly denied these allegations, stating that Canada had provided no evidence to substantiate its claims
Unverified video footage circulating online showed individuals waving flags associated with the Khalistan movement—a separatist group advocating for an independent Sikh homeland in India—clashing with others holding Indian flags. India’s foreign ministry attributed the violence to “extremists and separatists,” urging Canadian authorities to protect places of worship from such attacks.
The North American-based group Sikhs for Justice described the altercation as an “unprovoked violent attack on peaceful pro-Khalistan demonstrators.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the incident, labeling the violence “unacceptable” and reiterating that “every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.”
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