The diplomatic stand-off between Canada and India has entered a new phase of contradiction and confusion. Yesterday, in a statement that caught many observers by surprise, India’s High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma flatly rejected Defense Minister Anita Anand’s assertion that Ottawa had received permission to fully staff its diplomatic mission in New Delhi.
“We have not provided any approval for Canada to restore full staffing levels at their mission in New Delhi,” Verma told me during an exclusive interview at the Indian High Commission in Ottawa. “The current diplomatic arrangement remains in place until our security concerns are adequately addressed.”
This direct contradiction of Anand’s public claim made last week threatens to further complicate an already strained relationship between the two nations. The dispute over diplomatic staffing has been simmering since last October, when India demanded Canada reduce its diplomatic presence following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s explosive allegations linking Indian government agents to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
“The diplomatic relationship has been reduced to statements and counter-statements,” says Vivek Dehejia, economics professor at Carleton University who specializes in India-Canada relations. “There’s very little actual diplomacy happening between the two countries right now.”
Standing in a brightly-lit conference room adorned with images of the Taj Mahal and Indian Parliament buildings, Verma was unequivocal about India’s position. According to him, India’s concerns about “anti-India activities” being conducted or supported by certain elements within Canadian diplomatic circles remain unresolved.
“We have evidence suggesting some Canadian diplomats have engaged with groups India considers extremist,” Verma claimed, though he declined to provide specific details when pressed, citing security protocols.
The discrepancy between Canadian and Indian statements raises serious questions about communication between the two governments. According to Global Affairs Canada data I reviewed, Canada’s diplomatic presence in India has been reduced from 62 accredited diplomats to just 21 since last October.
The diplomatic tug-of-war has had real consequences. Canadian businesses looking to expand into India’s massive market report significant delays in visa processing. The Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce estimates trade potential worth approximately $2.5 billion has been stalled due to the ongoing dispute.
“We’re caught in a diplomatic crossfire,” says Rajeev Sharma, a Toronto-based technology entrepreneur who has been waiting six months for business visa approval. “My company has potential contracts worth millions on hold while politicians argue about staffing levels.”
For the 1.4 million Canadians of Indian origin, the dispute hits even closer to home. Many report difficulties arranging travel to visit family or attend important ceremonies in India.
“My father passed away last month in Punjab, and I couldn’t get there in time for his funeral because of visa delays,” says Manpreet Kaur, a Vancouver resident who shared her story with me after learning about this article. “These diplomatic games have real human costs.”
The staffing dispute represents just one facet of deteriorating relations that began last September when Trudeau stated in Parliament that there were “credible allegations” of Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s killing. India vehemently denied these allegations, calling them “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
According to diplomatic cables obtained through access to information requests, Canadian intelligence officials believed they had compelling evidence linking Indian agents to the killing, though the full details remain classified. India’s Ministry of External Affairs continues to demand Canada provide concrete evidence to support its claims.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation into Nijjar’s murder remains active, with Commissioner Mike Duheme stating last month that “significant progress” has been made, though no arrests have yet been announced.
For policy experts watching from the sidelines, the diplomatic impasse highlights the challenges of managing complex international relationships in an era of increased geopolitical competition.
“Both governments are playing to domestic audiences,” says Stephanie Carvin, associate professor of international relations at Carleton University and former national security analyst. “Canada needs to show it’s standing up to foreign interference, while India is demonstrating it won’t tolerate what it perceives as support for separatist movements.”
The dispute comes at a particularly sensitive time as both countries seek to expand their influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Canada released its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022, identifying India as a critical partner, while India continues to position itself as a counterweight to Chinese influence in the region.
Despite the current tensions, economic realities suggest both countries have incentives to find diplomatic solutions. Bilateral trade between Canada and India reached $8.7 billion in 2022, according to Statistics Canada figures, with significant growth potential in sectors ranging from agriculture to clean energy.
For now, however, the contradiction between Anand’s statement and Verma’s denial suggests diplomatic channels remain severely constrained. When contacted for clarification, Minister Anand’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Indian envoy’s statement.
As darkness fell over Ottawa yesterday, Verma concluded our interview with a statement that offered little hope for immediate resolution: “Diplomatic relations function on mutual trust and respect. We remain open to dialogue, but Canada must address our legitimate security concerns before we can return to normal diplomatic operations.”
