Diplomatic Betrayal: Indian Envoy Reflects on Canada’s Unprofessional Handling of Bilateral Relations

India’s recalled high commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, has openly criticized Canada for what he describes as a profound diplomatic betrayal, following an unexpected and tense standoff. In a candid interview with PTI after his return to New Delhi, Verma revealed his shock at Canada’s behavior, calling it deeply unprofessional and likening it to being “backstabbed” by a nation India had long viewed as a close partner.

The rift between the two nations intensified after the June 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and known Khalistani activist, who had been designated as a terrorist by India. On October 13, Canada named Verma and five other Indian diplomats as persons of interest in the investigation. Before Canada could take further steps, New Delhi quickly recalled its diplomats.

Verma, an experienced diplomat with 36 years of service, described this moment as one of the most shocking in his career. He shared that while there are diplomatic protocols for handling such sensitive issues, none of these were followed by Canada. “This is the pits,” he remarked, noting how unprecedented Canada’s approach had been. He emphasized that there were many other diplomatic tools Canada could have used instead of launching such an aggressive inquiry without prior warning.

The heart of the issue, Verma explained, lies in the Khalistan movement in Canada, which he described as a criminal enterprise. He pointed out that while the movement is championed by a small but vocal minority, this group has managed to wield considerable political influence in Canada. Their illegal activities, ranging from human trafficking to gun-running, are well-known, yet are often overlooked by Canadian authorities due to their political leverage. Verma highlighted how this small group exerts undue pressure on the broader Sikh community, intimidating them with threats.

Recalling the tense hours before his departure from Canada, Verma shared that he was at Toronto airport when he received a sudden request to meet with the Canadian foreign ministry. There, he was informed that his diplomatic immunity was being questioned and that he and his team would be required to cooperate in a police investigation. Taken aback by the abruptness of the demand, Verma quickly made arrangements to leave the country.

Despite the shock, Verma maintained his composure throughout the ordeal. “My face did not betray any emotion,” he said, recounting how he refused to show any signs of distress in front of Canadian officials. He expressed sadness, however, at the breakdown in relations between the two countries, which had enjoyed strong ties for many years.

Verma’s reflections reveal the depth of the diplomatic fallout and highlight the challenges of maintaining strong bilateral relationships in the face of political tension and extremist influences.

News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”