Even if it had no choice in acting, Canada places itself in a precarious situation by revealing allegations of Indian foreign interference in the country, according to Emmanuelle Latraverse.
• Also read: Diplomatic crisis: RCMP denounces “clandestine activities” on the part of Indian diplomats
• Also read: India-Canada relations: “It’s getting worse,” says an expert
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) revealed Monday the contents of its investigation into the assassination of a Sikh leader in Vancouver in 2023, alleging that Indian diplomats were linked to homicides and other crimes committed in Canada.
Ottawa has also expelled several representatives of the Indian government, which is no small feat, according to the political analyst.
“It was not minor diplomats who were expelled,” she said. Canada still demanded the expulsion of the Indian High Commissioner to Canada.”
These allegations are unprecedented and jeopardize relations between the two countries.
“It’s worthy of a spy novel,” she said. What makes the situation even more explosive is that we remember, a year ago, Canada had criticized India for having had a role to play in the assassination of a Sikh leader in British Columbia, but there, India is criticized for having contributed to and amplified these gestures in Canada.”
“We agree, we are a hair’s breadth away from a breakdown in diplomatic relations,” she adds. This places Canada in an extremely difficult situation. We felt it yesterday in the tone of Mr. Trudeau, who really was walking on eggshells, as if trying to say “I swear, we had no choice, we were caught.”
Ms. Latraverse argues that Canada is jeopardizing its ties with Asia more than ever.
Asia’s two major powers, India and China, are now facing allegations of foreign interference.
“Canada’s bet, with its conflicting relations with China […] it was to intensify its relations with India to succeed in creating a counterbalance,” she explains.
“But there, Canada finds itself in latent conflict, and open in the case of India, with these two powers,” she continues. And there, he is forced to ask for help from his allies. I think this illustrates a Canada that is weakened and very isolated on the international scene in this regard.”
However, she says she understands why the RCMP decided to speak publicly about these allegations despite the fact that its investigation is still ongoing.
“It was the RCMP who decided to publish this information,” she says. We understand that in recent weeks the RCMP has increased its efforts to have meetings with senior Indian leaders and diplomats […] to advance its investigations.”
“Obviously, India completely refused to participate and support Canada in this,” she added. At some point, you are at a crossroads. We must send a strong signal because otherwise it allows India to continue to act in this direction.”
See Emmanuelle Latraverse’s analysis in the video above
