
Frosty Diplomacy: Canada Confronts Strained Relations with India and China Amidst Chilling Realities
Against the backdrop of a frosty December evening in Ottawa, ice skaters weave through an outdoor rink in front of City Hall, a scene that traditionally reflected Canada's friendly international image. For years, Canadians like Jonathan Berkshire Miller, the director of foreign affairs, national defense, and national security at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, embraced a rosy view of the nation's role in the world, shaped by ideals of peacekeeping missions.
However, this perception has been recently shaken, as Canada grapples with the harsh realities of strained relations with powerful nations, particularly China and India. Accusations of interference in politics and domestic security have prompted a reassessment of Canada's national security policies. In a stark illustration of this, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in mid-September, disclosed "credible evidence" implicating agents of the Indian government in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen of Indian descent. Nijjar was fatally shot by masked gunmen outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June.
Trudeau's assertion of foreign government involvement on Canadian soil was met with denials from India, which had labeled Nijjar as a terrorist. The deceased activist had been advocating for the establishment of Khalistan, an independent homeland for India's Sikhs. As Canada navigates these diplomatic challenges, the picturesque ice rink scene in Ottawa serves as a poignant backdrop to the complex and evolving narrative of the nation's international standing.
Strained Alliances: Diplomatic Fallout as Canada Accuses India in Sikh Activist Assassination
A cordial welcome at the G20 Summit in New Delhi marked the beginning of a diplomatic tempest between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau's subsequent announcement of credible allegations linking India's government to the assassination of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil sent shockwaves through diplomatic channels.
In response, Ottawa expelled an Indian diplomat, triggering a retaliatory expulsion by New Delhi. The situation escalated further when Canada withdrew 41 diplomats and their dependents, following India's threat to revoke their diplomatic immunity. In the face of this diplomatic standoff, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Minister of Immigration Marc Miller decried India's actions as "unreasonable and escalatory," violating international law.
The news of the extrajudicial killing rattled many Canadians, shedding light on tensions within the Sikh community. Canada, home to the world's largest Sikh community outside India, became the battleground for longstanding accusations from New Delhi, branding many Sikhs as extremists. Balpreet Singh, legal counsel and spokesperson for the World Sikh Organization of Canada, notes that the history of India's targeting of Sikhs in Canada has been a lived reality for years, with law enforcement taking the threats more seriously only after the death of the activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The fallout has brought to the forefront the struggles of Canada's Sikh community, the second-largest in the world after India's. Mohkam Singh, a Sikh priest, reads the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, at the Gurdwara Sahib temple on the outskirts of Ottawa. Singh expresses that the mainstream awareness of India's alleged nefarious activities targeting Sikhs is a long-overdue recognition.
Adding to the complexity, in November, the U.S. uncovered a plot orchestrated by an Indian government official to assassinate a Sikh separatist in New York, part of a broader scheme involving multiple planned assassinations in both Canada and the U.S. These revelations underscore the intricate diplomatic challenges as Canada navigates the fallout from its accusations against India.
Asymmetric Intricacies: Canada Navigates Allegations of Foreign Interference Amidst Global Power Dynamics
The intricacies of global power dynamics have thrust Canada into a diplomatic quagmire, with accusations of foreign interference echoing across continents. An unsealed indictment reveals a clandestine plot orchestrated by an unidentified Indian government employee, allegedly linked to Indian intelligence. The directive was to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen, carried out by Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who purportedly paid a hitman $100,000 in cash. Fortunately, the assassination attempt was thwarted.
In response to these allegations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted the country's commitment to the rule of law in his first public comments on the matter. However, this revelation is not an isolated incident. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had previously raised concerns about China's interference as early as 2010, with a renewed warning in June. Significant ethnic Chinese communities in Toronto and the west coast have become focal points, as Beijing is accused of subtly advancing its interests within these demographics.
Dan Stanton, a former intelligence officer with CSIS, emphasizes the nuanced nature of foreign interference, citing a comprehensive approach by Beijing across various sectors, including media, politics, government, and diaspora communities. Colin Robertson, a former diplomat and fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, notes a historical complacency driven by a sense of security under the American umbrella. However, recent events have shattered this illusion, forcing Canada to grapple with the challenge of standing up to powerful, authoritarian nations without compromising its core values, including the protection of human rights.
Senator Peter Boehm, chair of Canada's Senate foreign affairs committee, acknowledges the vulnerability of a middle power in the face of a larger force seeking to exert influence. The evolving landscape demands a delicate balance as Canada strives to assert its sovereignty and values amidst the complex interplay of foreign interests and its commitment to upholding fundamental principles.
Canada's Diplomatic Tightrope: Vulnerability, Retaliation, and the Unsettling Realities of Foreign Influence
In the complex arena of global power dynamics, Canada finds itself teetering on a diplomatic tightrope, vulnerable to the whims of larger nations seeking to exert influence. Senator Peter Boehm, chairman of the Canadian Senate's foreign affairs committee, acknowledges this vulnerability, noting, "If a large power wants to make an example of a middle power, we are almost a sitting duck as the 11th or 12th largest economy in the world." He further highlights the risk of being perceived as a surrogate for the U.S., becoming an easy target for countries wanting to send a message to the superpower.
This sentiment is not unfounded, as recent incidents have shattered Canada's security complacency. The arrest of two Canadian citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, by China in 2018, widely seen as retaliation for Canada's detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, exposed the nation to the perils of geopolitical tensions. The prolonged detention of the two Canadians for over three years strained Canada's relationship with Beijing.
Leaked Canadian intelligence reports added fuel to the fire, revealing China's attempts to pressure members of Parliament and manipulate political campaigns. Member of Parliament Michael Chong became a target, facing a smear campaign in the lead-up to the 2021 federal election due to his outspoken criticism of Beijing's treatment of Uyghurs. The leaked reports indicated a concerted effort by China to tarnish Chong's reputation and target his relatives in Hong Kong.
The interference extended to other ethnic Chinese politicians, with Kenny Chiu, elected in 2019 and expected to be reelected in 2021, facing repercussions for advocating a registry for foreign agents to curb external interference. His criticism of China's crackdown in Hong Kong precipitated a shift in his political fortunes.
As Canada grapples with these unsettling realities, it faces the challenge of safeguarding its sovereignty and values in the midst of an intricate geopolitical landscape, where foreign powers are not hesitant to employ multifaceted strategies targeting media, politics, government, and diaspora communities. The nation's evolving response will shape its resilience in the face of external pressures and its commitment to upholding fundamental principles.
Silent Sabotage: Canada's Struggle Against Covert Campaigns and National Security Underfunding
In the quiet realm of disinformation campaigns, Canadian politician Kenny Chiu found himself on the front lines, facing a sudden and unexplained nosedive in popularity. "When I went door-knocking, people were opening the door and they heard my name and they just basically shut in my face," he recounts. Former supporters turned away, unwilling even to engage in conversation, a drastic turn within a mere 22 months.
Chiu, like many others, discovered the insidious nature of these attacks only when the Canadian Security Intelligence Services (CSIS) approached him in October. A debrief confirmed that he had been a target of a disinformation campaign during the last election. Such experiences are not isolated incidents; they underscore the vulnerability of Canada's political landscape to covert influence.
In response to these challenges, the Canadian government has taken a step forward by announcing the creation of a new National Security Council. Concurrently, Parliament has initiated an inquiry into foreign interference in national elections in 2019 and 2021, with a final report expected by the end of 2024. Stephanie Carvin, a former CSIS intelligence officer teaching at Carleton University, notes that Canada has historically underfunded its national security apparatus. The parliamentary inquiry is seen as an opportunity to revamp outdated laws and establish more robust and enforceable national security policies.
The fact is that our laws are very much out of date," Carvin emphasizes, pointing out the negligence of national security concerns compared to other policy priorities. She advocates for increased coordination among Canada and its allies, including the U.S., Australia, and Britain, to effectively combat foreign interference.
However, Jonathan Berkshire Miller of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute cautions that Canada, despite its affiliations and alliances, may be perceived as a soft and easy target. As economic and geopolitical power dynamics shift towards countries like India and China, the resilience of Canada's political landscape will be tested. The silent sabotage of disinformation campaigns serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of Canada's democratic processes.
In the face of silent sabotage and covert campaigns, Canada stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the intricacies of foreign interference and the vulnerabilities within its political landscape. Kenny Chiu's experience, a poignant example of the impact of disinformation campaigns, underscores the imperative for proactive measures to fortify the nation's democratic processes.
As the Canadian government takes strides with the establishment of a new National Security Council and a parliamentary inquiry into foreign interference, the nation is at the precipice of reevaluating its national security apparatus. Stephanie Carvin's insights shed light on the historical underfunding of Canada's security, emphasizing the need for updated laws and robust policies to counter emerging threats.
The challenges Canada faces in combating foreign interference necessitate coordinated efforts with allies such as the U.S., Australia, and Britain. The evolving geopolitical landscape, marked by shifts in economic and geopolitical power, demands a vigilant and resilient response from Canada.
Jonathan Berkshire Miller's cautionary note about Canada being perceived as a soft target underscores the urgency for a collective and strategic approach to safeguard the nation's interests. As the inquiry progresses and the National Security Council takes shape, Canada is poised to define a new chapter in its commitment to upholding democratic values while navigating the complex realities of global power dynamics.