In an extraordinary turn of events, the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has distanced itself from earlier allegations suggesting India’s involvement in criminal activities on Canadian soil. On Friday, November 22nd, the Trudeau administration issued a statement clarifying that it has never accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, or National Security Advisor Ajit Doval of any wrongdoing.
The clarification, released by Nathalie G. Drouin, the Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, marks a significant shift in tone. The statement read, “The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate.”
What a mess. Canada now says there is no link between Modi and criminal activities on its soil. pic.twitter.com/qgtfYOylp1
— Derek J. Grossman (@DerekJGrossman) November 22, 2024
This announcement comes in stark contrast to the bold accusations made on October 14th. On that day, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) took the unprecedented step of publicly alleging that agents of the Government of India were involved in serious criminal activities, including claims of extra-territorial killings on Canadian soil. The allegations had sparked a diplomatic standoff between the two nations, with India vehemently denying the accusations and calling for evidence.
The latest statement from the Trudeau administration appears to be a conscious effort to de-escalate tensions. It explicitly notes that the earlier public accusations made by Canadian officials and the RCMP did not implicate India’s top leadership. The use of terms like “speculative and inaccurate” to describe any links drawn to Modi or his government signals an attempt to repair the diplomatic fallout from the original claims.
Observers have labeled the move as a diplomatic U-turn. “This is a stunning shift from the inflammatory rhetoric we saw last month,” said a geopolitical analyst familiar with Canada-India relations. “It raises serious questions about the credibility of the earlier accusations and whether this entire controversy could have been avoided.”
The timing of the clarification is significant. Since October, bilateral relations between Canada and India have deteriorated sharply, with both nations engaging in tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions. Trade negotiations were frozen, and the tensions reverberated across global forums. The latest statement could be seen as an olive branch aimed at mending ties with New Delhi.
However, the damage may already be done. India has consistently rejected the allegations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated. Indian officials have also pointed to Trudeau’s earlier claims as an attempt to deflect attention from domestic issues within Canada.
The Trudeau government’s backtracking is likely to draw criticism at home and abroad. Critics within Canada have accused the administration of mishandling the situation and compromising the country’s diplomatic standing. Meanwhile, some international observers have suggested that the conflicting statements may erode Canada’s credibility on the global stage.
