Canada's Allegations and Its Allies' Silence: It's India-China Equation that Canada Stands Alone in Its Accusations
Canada's recent allegations regarding Indian
involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian
soil have not been echoed by its key allies, including the US, the United
Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, all part of the "Five Eyes"
intelligence-sharing alliance.
Instead, these allies have expressed their
concerns and called for thorough investigations. The reluctance to condemn
India is primarily attributed to the allies' focus on bolstering ties with
India as a counterbalance to China's growing influence and assertiveness.
Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international
relations at Ottawa's Carleton University, noted, "India is important in
Western calculations for balancing China, and Canada is not," emphasizing
Canada's isolation on this issue among Western nations.
Beyond the China factor, India's rapidly
growing economy and its projection as a significant global power with over 1.4
billion people and a substantial military make it challenging for Canada's main
allies to speak out against India.
Janice Stein, a political scientist at the
Munk School of Global Affairs in Toronto, stated, "I think Australia, US,
and UK did about what was expected," emphasizing that these countries are
unlikely to confront India as long as they need India to counter China.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau initially spoke
of "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing
and even engaged in a diplomatic expulsion tit-for-tat with India. However, he
later tempered his rhetoric, indicating that Canada was not seeking to provoke
or escalate the situation.
The situation presents a dilemma for the UK,
which is pursuing a free trade deal with India. While acknowledging the
seriousness of the allegations, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman,
Max Blain, clarified that the trade talks would not incorporate this issue.
Chietigj Bajpaee, an India expert at the
Chatham House think tank in London, suggested that unless there is definitive
evidence of India's involvement, the UK's response is likely to remain muted,
as a free trade deal holds significant political significance for both India
and Britain.
The Biden administration, despite expressing
deep concern over the allegations, seems to be offering more moral support than
substantive action, possibly preferring to let Canada and India handle the
matter bilaterally.
In conclusion, while Canada has made
allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing, its key allies have been
cautious in their response due to their broader strategic interests,
particularly in countering China. This situation poses diplomatic challenges
for Canada and underscores the complex dynamics of international relations in
an evolving global landscape.ems inclined to offer more moral support than
substantive action, opting for a cryptic approach, allowing the issue to unfold
as a bilateral matter between the enigmatic capitals of Ottawa and New Delhi.
In conclusion, this perplexing scenario
illuminates the intricacies of global geopolitics and the intricate dance that
nations must perform when their strategic interests converge with the shadowy
realm of international concerns.
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