'Never used to happen earlier ...': How opposition leaders reacted to India-Canada diplomatic fallout

NEW DELHI: The opposition parties raised concerns and urged the government to take a more inclusive approach by engaging the opposition in handling the sensitive issue as tensions escalated between India and Canada.

The diplomatic fallout between India and Canada over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar , a Sikh separatist leader, has led to a series of tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats and a suspension of visa services. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen labeled as a terrorist by India in 2020, was killed in British Columbia earlier this year, sparking a diplomatic confrontation.

India has strongly refuted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claims, saying that the assertions made by Canadian officials about presenting evidence in the Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar case are untrue, according to government sources quoted by ANI. India also dismissed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP) allegations that Indian agents use criminals in Canada to target the South Asian community, particularly "pro-Khalistani elements," citing a lack of specific evidence.

Here’s how key opposition figures responded to the ongoing India-Canada diplomatic row:

Congress calls for consultation with opposition
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage opposition leaders in discussions on the diplomatic crisis.

In a post on X, Ramesh expressed concern about the deteriorating relations, saying, “The Indian National Congress certainly hopes and expects that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take into confidence the Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament and the leaders of other political parties on this extremely sensitive and critical issue of India-Canada relations .”

The Indian National Congress certainly hopes and expects that Prime Minister @narendramodi will take the Leader of Opposition in both Houses of Parliament, and the leaders of other political parties into confidence immediately on the extremely sensitive and delicate issue of…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 14, 2024

Rashid Alvi, another Congress leader, told ANI, “It is a matter of great concern. When such a thing happens, it shows that our relations with that country are not good...Earlier, such things never used to happen. It has started under the BJP government ."

#WATCH | On India-Canada diplomatic row, Congress leader Rashid Alvi says," It is a matter of great concern. When such a thing happens it shows that our relations with that country are not good...Earlier, such things never used to happen. It has started under the BJP government." pic.twitter.com/TyPDl43Ws0

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024

CPM stresses unified action
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) urged the government to brief opposition parties on the evolving situation with Canada. The party highlighted that anti-India Khalistani elements operating in Canada have long posed a threat to India's national security.

“The Government of India is duty-bound to protect the national interest for which it has the support across political parties in India,” the CPM said. The party also raised concerns about allegations from Canada regarding India's role in Nijjar's killing, asserting that these claims should be addressed with transparency.

The CPM also said that "activities of anti-India Khalistani elements operating in Canada have been a matter of serious concern" and called for unity among Indian political factions in defending the nation’s interests.

Farooq Abdullah advocates diplomacy and dialogue
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah urged India not to sever diplomatic ties with Canada, suggesting that both countries should strive for peaceful negotiations. He raised questions about of the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"I regret this situation; we should establish a friendship...We should not stray from the path of diplomacy," Abdullah said, adding that India should continue to deny the allegations unless presented with clear evidence.

TMC criticizes government’s handling of the situation
TMC MP Sagarika Ghose took to social media to criticize the Modi government for its handling of the diplomatic row, accusing it of evading accountability. She questioned why Canada’s accusations have not been addressed transparently.

The head of another government and its police publicly accuse the Modi-led government of shocking criminal activity on its soil, and no one is supposed to ask for answers from the non-biological PM @narendramodi ? Why is @JustinTrudeau making these accusations? Why have India…

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) October 16, 2024

“The head of another government and its police publicly accuse the Modi-led government of shocking criminal activity on its soil, and no one is supposed to ask for answers from the non-biological PM Narendra Modi?” Ghose wrote on X.