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The escalating tensions between India and Canada have reached a new peak with India's decision to cancel several consular camps planned for the Canadian city of Toronto. This decision, announced by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), was directly attributed to Canada's alleged failure to provide adequate security to Indian diplomats and consular staff. The MEA expressed its deep concern over recent incidents of violence targeting Indian diplomats and the Indian-origin community in Canada, specifically citing the violent clashes between pro-Khalistani groups and members of the Indian community at a consular camp in Brampton. The violence, which included attacks on a temple complex, prompted strong condemnation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the attacks as “cowardly attempts” to intimidate Indian diplomats and labeled the incident as “appalling.”
The MEA's decision to cancel consular camps in Toronto, while maintaining scheduled camps in other cities like Vancouver, highlights the specific security concerns surrounding the Toronto area. Despite repeated requests for security guarantees from the Indian High Commission and consulates in Canada, the MEA asserted that the Canadian government failed to provide adequate protection for the consular camps in Toronto. The Indian Consulate in Toronto, in a social media post, cited security agencies' inability to provide minimum security protection for the community camp organizers as the primary reason for the cancellation. In contrast, the Indian Consulate shared visuals of successful consular camps in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where over 600 certificates were processed without incident. These visual representations served to emphasize the specific security challenges in Toronto.
The MEA's statement, coupled with the cancellation of consular camps, underscores the deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Canada. The Indian government, through MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, has publicly called on the Canadian government to uphold the rule of law and bring those responsible for the violence to justice. Jaiswal highlighted the increasing threats to Indian diplomats in Canada over the past year, describing instances of “attacking, intimidating, and harassing” Indian diplomats and their subjection to “unacceptable” surveillance. These concerns have been formally raised with the Canadian government by India. The consular camps, traditionally held at the request of the Indian community, play a crucial role in facilitating essential services, particularly during November and December, when a large number of Indian citizens require “life certificates” for their pension payments.
The escalating tensions between India and Canada are fueled by a series of events, including the expulsion of each other's diplomats and India's decision to recall its High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma. These actions stem from Canada's accusations of Indian government involvement, including Home Minister Amit Shah, in the killing of a Khalistani activist in Brampton last year. While the Canadian High Commission has not yet responded to the MEA's latest charges, local authorities are investigating the violence at the temple premises, with criminal charges being filed against those responsible. Notably, the incident in Brampton has also triggered reactions within the Canadian community, with the Ontario Gurdwara Council condemning the violence by protestors at the temple and the Hindu Sabha Temple suspending a priest for alleged involvement in counter-protests.
The significance of this situation extends beyond the immediate diplomatic fallout. The Indian-origin population in Canada, particularly in Brampton, comprises a sizable demographic, with about 180,000 people identifying as Indian-origin, representing 28% of the city's population. The city's Hindu and Sikh communities, collectively numbering 280,000, are deeply intertwined with the larger Canadian society. This underscores the broader implications of the escalating tensions, which have the potential to impact the social fabric and community relations within Canada.
Source: Cancelling consular camps in areas where Canada failed to provide security: MEA