Amid growing international tensions, Canada’s planned October trade mission to India has hit a stumbling block, largely due to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s controversial handling of domestic Sikh issues.
Shanti Cosentino, a spokesperson for Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng, confirmed on Friday the delay of the mission, leaving many wondering if Trudeau’s recent missteps played a part. “We’re postponing the upcoming trade mission to India at this moment,” Cosentino tersely stated.
Earlier the same day, Indian officials hinted that the ongoing trade negotiations have paused because of “political developments in Canada”, a veiled reference to Trudeau’s questionable management of the Sikh protests.
In a move that shocked many diplomatic circles, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped a formal bilateral meeting with Trudeau during the recent G20 summit in New Delhi. While diplomatic reasons can be multifaceted, insiders believe that Modi’s decision not to engage with Trudeau signals displeasure with Canada’s handling of Sikh-related controversies.
A video from June revealed a contentious parade float in Brampton, Ontario, themed after the assassination of India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. While the float drew severe criticism from the Indian government, Trudeau’s response appeared lukewarm, further straining relations.
After their interaction, the Indian government underscored their “grave concerns about ongoing anti-India activities in Canada”. Citing “extremist elements”, they pointed fingers at Canada for encouraging violence against Indian diplomats.
Yet, Trudeau’s leadership has come under more scrutiny. Since the election of Modi in 2014, he’s been steering India with a strong vision, even if controversial. Trudeau, in comparison, often seems to be on the back foot, especially regarding Canada’s large Sikh community, some of whom advocate for an independent Khalistan in India.
While Trudeau pays lip service to the rights of Canadians for free expression and peaceful protest, his actions, or lack thereof, have not instilled confidence in many quarters. His attempt to downplay the controversy by saying, “The actions of a few don’t reflect the entire community or Canada,” seemed to miss the larger geopolitical ramifications of the issue.
The ongoing dispute, exacerbated by Trudeau’s perceived inaction, has undeniably cast a long shadow over Canada-India relations. On September 1, Canada’s unexpected decision to halt the trade treaty talks, echoed by Indian officials, was yet another sign of strained ties.
With trade discussions between the nations being on and off since 2010, many hope that Trudeau can find a way to navigate these troubled waters more effectively in the future.
