39% Canadians Blame Trudeau For Fumbling Ties With India, Survey Finds

Updated: Thursday, December 5, 2024, 19:19 [IST]

A recent survey reveals that nearly 40% of Canadians feel Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government mishandled the country’s relationship with India, which has been at a historic low in recent months.

The survey, conducted by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF), reflects the ongoing tension between the two nations.

39 Canadians Blame Trudeau For Fumbling Ties With India Survey Finds

Photo Credit: PTI

Survey Results: A Divided Opinion

According to the findings, 39% of Canadians expressed dissatisfaction with how the Trudeau government handled bilateral ties with India. In contrast, only 32% believed the government had managed the relationship well. Moreover, 39% of respondents felt that under Trudeau’s leadership, there was little hope for improvement in the relationship between the two countries.

The survey also shed light on Canadian views about India's role in the situation. Approximately 34% of Canadians felt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government would not be able to improve relations either.

Tension Escalates After Allegations

The ongoing diplomatic friction began escalating in September 2023, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was gunned down in Surrey, Canada, on June 18, 2023, which led to a major diplomatic row.

In October 2023, relations between the two countries further soured after Canadian authorities named Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in their investigation into Nijjar’s death. This action led India to expel six Canadian diplomats and withdraw its own high commissioner from Canada.

Recent Allegations Fuel Diplomatic Fallout

In a new twist, a Canadian official recently alleged that India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah had orchestrated a campaign of violence, intimidation, and intelligence-gathering against pro-Khalistani groups within Canada. This allegation was confirmed by Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, David Morrison, who disclosed Shah's name to The Washington Post. The Indian government quickly rejected these claims as “absurd and baseless,” warning that such irresponsible actions would have severe consequences on bilateral ties.

In response, India summoned a Canadian diplomat to New Delhi to formally protest the allegations, reinforcing its position that the diplomatic misconduct had strained the relationship even further.

Ongoing Diplomatic Strain

The deteriorating India-Canada relations, exacerbated by these disputes, highlight the challenges in resolving complex international issues. Both countries face pressure domestically as well as from global observers regarding the handling of the situation.

The survey's results underscore the growing concerns among Canadians over the government’s diplomatic approach, with many questioning the prospects of mending ties with India under the current leadership. The strained relationship remains a critical issue in both countries, and future diplomatic efforts will be crucial in determining the path forward.