HomeTrending NewsCanadian Envoy Cameron MacKay Speaks on Diplomatic Crisis with India, Cites “Strategic...

Canadian Envoy Cameron MacKay Speaks on Diplomatic Crisis with India, Cites “Strategic Errors” by Delhi

October 21, 2024 – As Canadian diplomats departed India on Friday, ahead of a deadline set for their exit by Saturday midnight, Cameron MacKay, the Canadian High Commissioner to India who left the country in August after completing his term, has broken his silence regarding the escalating tensions between India and Canada.
Speaking publicly for the first time on the matter, MacKay addressed the diplomatic dispute surrounding two major incidents: the assassination of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June last year, and the failed assassination bid on pro-Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States. MacKay linked both incidents, suggesting they were part of “a single plot” that originated in Delhi, with the intent to target separatists in North America.

US Indictment Paints a Grim Picture
MacKay referred to a recent US indictment, which he said presents a “compelling and detailed portrait” of a coordinated effort to assassinate individuals across Canada and the United States.
The indictment, released on November 29, 2023, accused Vikash Yadav, an Assistant Commandant with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and linked to India’s external intelligence agency R&AW, of being the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on Pannun in the US. Yadav was recently charged with “murder-for-hire” and money laundering by the US Department of Justice.
“This is a tremendous strategic error by certain agents of the Indian government, thinking they could commit violent crimes across North America and evade accountability,” MacKay told the Canadian public broadcaster CBC News on Saturday.
India has categorically denied these accusations, dismissing them as “absurd and politically motivated.” Despite this, Canada continues to assert its stance, with MacKay emphasizing that serious “red lines” have been crossed by India, which could have long-term repercussions for its global image.

Diplomatic Fallout: Expulsions and Tensions
The current diplomatic row has seen both nations recall their High Commissioners and expel several diplomats. MacKay’s Deputy High Commissioner, Stewart Wheeler, along with five other Canadian diplomats, has been expelled from India. In response, New Delhi recalled its own High Commissioner, Sanjay Verma, along with five diplomats from Ottawa.
The Indian government has maintained a firm position of denial, while Canada has pressed for accountability. MacKay expressed concerns over the impact this row could have on bilateral relations, stating that it would take “a good long while before we get anything close to normal” between the two nations.

Differences in India’s Response to Canada and the US
When asked whether India’s contrasting responses to Canada and the US one being a middle power and the other a superpower indicated a strategic calculation, MacKay confirmed that India’s actions reflected this disparity. He noted that India cannot afford to dismiss US concerns in the same manner it has with Canada, given the global stature and bilateral relations between India and the US.

“But domestically, the Indian government has responded by vilifying Canada, denying all charges. With respect to the United States, India can’t afford to take that approach,” MacKay explained.

Canada’s Call for Accountability
MacKay made it clear that Canada’s priority remains public safety and ensuring accountability for what has transpired. He acknowledged that the relationship with India, a significant global player and long-standing democracy, should improve in the long run, but stressed that this would not happen without accountability from the Indian government.
“The ball is in India’s court,” MacKay concluded, calling for open channels of communication and cooperation between the two governments to resolve the diplomatic dispute.
The diplomatic rift continues to deepen as both nations face pressure from their respective political landscapes. Canada remains steadfast in its stance on justice for the assassinations, while India has sought to maintain its denial and defend its reputation.

In the meantime, the expulsion of diplomats and heightened tensions will likely slow cooperation on key issues between the two countries, from trade to people-to-people exchanges. As the situation unfolds, both Canada and India are left weighing the long-term impact of this high-stakes diplomatic dispute.
Read Now:Meta Unveils AI Capable of Monitoring Other AI as Human Involvement Declines

[responsivevoice_button buttontext="Listen This Post" voice="Hindi Female"]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

RELATED ARTICLES

Trending News

Shared Burial Practices Hint at Cultural Overlap and Competition Between Early Humans and Neanderthals

A recent study from Tel Aviv University and the University of Haifa suggests that early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals...

New Study Finds Lifelong Cancer Risk from Oral HPV Calls for Expanded Vaccination Efforts

A new study highlights that men face a lifelong risk of contracting high-risk oral human papillomavirus (HPV) strains, which...

Trump Takes Aim at Kamala Harris Promises Border Security and Economic Reforms Ahead of Election

Just days before the U.S. presidential election former President Donald Trump held a rally in North Carolina where he...

Study Reveals African Wildlife Fears Humans More Than Lions

In a striking discovery recent study has found that animals on the African savanna are more afraid of humans...