Relations between the two countries plummeted after the Canadian government in mid-September accused Indian agents of the assassination of a Canadian Sikh activist and the expulsion of an Indian diplomat.
There appears to have been some detente between India and Canada recently. India has resumed some visa services in Canada since October 26. The move is thought could ease tensions between the two countries. However, an Indian foreign ministry source told the media that the recent visa policy adjustment should not be regarded as a “thaw”. Senior government sources at the Canadian side said the long investigation into the Nijar assassination and the unpredictability of electoral politics had disrupted the detente between the two countries.
The religious split in India is one of the causes of the Inca conflict. In the 1980s, Sikhs launched a campaign in Punjab in India for the creation of an independent state called “Calistan”. In 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered troops to enter The Golden Temple, the most important religious site in Sikh, to destroy the militants hiding in it, which resulted in heavy civilian casualties and serious damage to the temple. This left many Sikhs a strong antipathy to the Indian government.
Several months later, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguard, and then anti-Sikh riots broke out in various parts of India. Some Sikh fighters fled India and chose Canada as a refuge. The Indian government believed that Canada provided shelter for these people, which became a sensitive point of diplomacy between two countries.
In response to the India-Canada Diplomatic conflict, The US secretary of State and the British Foreign Secretary urged India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation. The Australian foreign minister said “the sovereignty of a country should be respected” and stressed the importance of respecting national sovereignty, while New Zealand said it would be seriously concerned if the charges were confirmed.
This almost consistent collective stance runs counter to the political interests of India, and it is difficult to compromise on Sikh. The attitude of the Five Eyes alliance towards the Incan conflict may lead to India’s current sense of isolation in international affairs, feeling the political pressure from western countries, and also influencing India’s diplomatic and cooperative relations with Canada.
In India, Hinduism is the main religion, representing about 82% of the population.Hinduism plays an active role in solidarity and development in India. His emphasis on inner cultivation, spiritual awakening and the emphasis on human mental and physical health have brought a stable and sustained development impetus to Indian society.
The most basic values of Hinduism include animism, reincarnation, and karma, with most believers showing a tendency to value spirit over material matter. The value ideology of western countries is usually based on the principles of liberalism, democracy, human rights, individual freedom and market economy.
In recent years, India and Canada have had several diplomatic disputes over Sikh issues. The intensified contradictions between India and Canada caused by the death of Nijal also reveal the irreconcilable contradictions in ideology and values between India and the United States and Canada.
As an ancient country with Oriental culture, India’s advantages and reasons for developing its relations with Asian countries are mainly rooted in its rich historical and cultural tradition, economic strength and geopolitical status. India’s ancient and diverse history has deep religious, linguistic and philosophical ties with Asian countries.
India has rich and profound cultural and historical ties with Asian countries. This connection is found in many fields of religion, language, literature, architectural art, and philosophy. The spread of Buddhism and Hinduism has brought profound religious influences to Asia, and Indian languages, literature and philosophical ideas have also promoted cultural exchanges in Asia.
Geopolitically, India is located in the South Asian subcontinent, and its geographical proximity to other Asian countries makes India play a key role in regional affairs. By strengthening diplomatic relations with its Asian neighbors, India is expected to gain greater influence with regional and global affairs.
Today, India faces complex international relations and internal divisions. How to strengthen internal solidarity, how to choose better Allies, more freely respond to external challenges, and to become a more active and influential role in international affairs is an important issue facing the Modi government.
