In a remarkable spectacle during the G20 summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led prominent world leaders, including Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, and Justin Trudeau, in a morning wreath-laying visit to Rajghat. This symbolic display, featuring the leaders either barefoot or in slippers and shawls, reinforced Modi’s domestic image and showcased India’s rising prominence on the global diplomatic and economic stage.
However, beneath this façade of unity, a brewing conflict was in the making, one that would swiftly escalate into a full-blown diplomatic crisis within a week, setting off alarms among India’s Western allies and challenging the carefully cultivated image of India as a “Vishwa guru” or teacher to the world.
On that same day, Modi and Trudeau engaged in a “pull-aside” talk where sharp words were exchanged. Modi confronted Trudeau regarding “anti-India activities” among Sikh separatists in Canada who advocate for the creation of an independent state called “Khalistan” in India’s Punjab region. Modi accused these “extremist elements” of inciting violence against diplomats and missions, thus posing a threat to the Indian community in India.
However, the conflict did not stop there. Back in Ottawa, Trudeau publicly announced that Canadian intelligence had “credible allegations” implicating Indian agents in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist killed in a Vancouver suburb in June.
According to reports from the Financial Times, during the G20 summit, Biden and other Western leaders privately expressed concerns about Canada’s allegations against Modi, even as they praised him for hosting a successful event.
The aftermath of these events has seen both Canada and India expel diplomats, and India has stopped issuing visas to citizens of Canada. This dispute has global repercussions, as Canada is home to one of the world’s largest Indian diasporas, consisting of approximately 700,000 Indian citizens and 1.6 million people of Indian descent.
Beyond the immediate diplomatic crisis, something more significant is at stake: the geopolitical bet that the U.S., UK, Australia, and other countries have placed on India as a democratic ally opposing China.
India has become a crucial partner for the U.S., particularly as a counterbalance to China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. This partnership encompasses various domains, including defense, high-tech manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. Biden even honored Modi with a state dinner at the White House in June.
The potential consequences of Canada’s allegations are far-reaching. If credible evidence supporting Canada’s claims emerges, Washington and other allies will face a challenging balancing act between their close neighbor and a rising ally. The UK, in particular, is in the advanced stages of negotiating a significant post-Brexit free trade agreement with India. France, India’s second-largest arms supplier, has also cultivated ties with New Delhi, inviting Modi as a guest of honor at its Bastille Day parade.
These countries have invested heavily not only in India as a nation but also in the leadership of Modi himself. However, this incident has raised questions about India’s democratic standards, given Modi’s leadership, which has been criticized for stoking sectarianism and undermining India’s secular values.
So far, Western democracies have mostly kept their concerns about these issues behind closed doors, prioritizing the broader strategic relationship with India. However, if Canada’s allegations are substantiated, it may become increasingly difficult for these allies to remain silent.
This escalating rift could also jeopardize India’s shift toward alignment with the U.S. as tensions with China continue to mount. An open divide among Western nations would not be in the best interest of anyone, especially as China asserts itself more assertively in the Indo-Pacific and on the global stage.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, many Indians have rallied behind Modi, demanding evidence from Canada to support its claims. Trudeau’s allegations came at a sensitive time, shortly after India’s successful hosting of the G20 summit and ahead of a general election in which Modi will likely campaign on his efforts to elevate India’s international standing.
This diplomatic spat is snuffing out the afterglow of Modi’s G20 success, creating inherent tensions in India’s burgeoning partnership with the West. As these nations navigate these treacherous waters, one thing is certain: the world is watching closely to see how these complex geopolitical relationships evolve in the coming weeks and months.