India Accuses Canada of Four Decades of Terrorism Inaction, Deepening Diplomatic Strains

India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, recently delivered a sharp critique of the Canadian government, accusing Ottawa of failing for 40 years to take meaningful action against extremist and terrorist elements operating within its borders. Speaking in an interview with Canada’s public broadcaster CBC, Patnaik emphasized that India has repeatedly warned Canadian authorities about these threats, yet no significant convictions or counterterrorism measures have been implemented over decades. His remarks underscore the longstanding frustration in New Delhi regarding Canada’s handling of terrorism-related issues.

Patnaik also rejected allegations linking India to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader shot dead in British Columbia in 2023. He described the accusations as unsubstantiated and insisted that Canada has not provided credible evidence to support claims of Indian involvement. The envoy highlighted what he called a double standard: while India is expected to provide proof when pointing out extremist activities in Canada, New Delhi’s calls for evidence are reportedly ignored when Canada makes serious allegations against India.

India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh K. Patnaik. (File photo: X) | News18

Historical Context and Air India Bombing

The envoy highlighted the 1985 Air India bombing, one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in aviation history, which killed 329 people, most of them Canadians of Indian origin. Despite decades of investigations, there have been no convictions for this attack, which India cites as a critical example of Canada’s repeated failure to act decisively against terrorism on its soil. Patnaik’s statements emphasize that India’s concerns are focused on terrorist actors, not on lawful political expression or democratic activity.

This historical context reinforces India’s argument that concerns over extremist networks in Canada are long-standing and well-documented. The Air India bombing remains a painful reminder of the consequences of inaction, and New Delhi insists that Canadian authorities must take seriously the intelligence and warnings provided over decades.

The Nijjar Case and Bilateral Tensions

The murder of Nijjar has been a flashpoint in India–Canada relations. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously stated that his government possessed “credible information” suggesting Indian involvement in the killing. New Delhi, however, strongly rejected these claims, labeling them as “preposterous” and lacking evidence. Patnaik reiterated that the allegations have no substantiated proof and emphasized that India remains open to cooperation with Canada should credible evidence be provided.

The Nijjar case has highlighted the delicate balance between diplomatic relations, intelligence sharing, and accountability. Canada has faced criticism for applying selective standards of evidence, while India maintains that any serious claims should be backed by verifiable facts. This standoff has cast a shadow over diplomatic engagement and complicated ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.

Economic and Strategic Implications

Despite the tensions, India and Canada maintain strong economic and cultural ties. Hundreds of thousands of Indian students and investors reside in Canada, and trade relations remain robust. Both nations have expressed interest in continuing dialogue, but the diplomatic rift over security and terrorism concerns poses a challenge to deeper cooperation. Analysts suggest that the resolution of these disputes is crucial not only for bilateral trade and investment but also for broader strategic alignment, especially in the Indo-Pacific and counterterrorism cooperation.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s criticism of Canada over decades of perceived inaction against terrorist networks highlights a deep-seated frustration in New Delhi. High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik’s remarks stress that repeated warnings about extremist elements within Canada have largely gone unheeded, with little progress in convictions or counterterrorism measures. The 1985 Air India bombing, which claimed 329 lives, remains a stark reminder of the consequences of prolonged inaction. India emphasizes that its concerns are centered on addressing terrorism and extremist activity, not interfering with lawful political expression, pointing to what it sees as inconsistent standards applied by Canadian authorities when handling allegations. The recent accusations linking India to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia have only intensified tensions, with New Delhi rejecting the claims as unsubstantiated and urging Canada to provide credible evidence before attributing responsibility.

The dispute underscores the broader challenges in India–Canada relations, where security concerns intersect with diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. Despite the strains, strong trade links, student exchanges, and investment flows continue to bind the two nations, though the rift over terrorism creates obstacles to deeper cooperation. Analysts note that resolving these issues will require Canada to address India’s security concerns seriously and apply consistent standards of evidence in all allegations. The situation reflects the delicate balance between safeguarding national security, ensuring accountability, and maintaining constructive diplomatic engagement in an era of globalized threats.

(Sources: News18, NDTV, Times of India)