Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Canadian frostbite: On the India-Canada diplomatic war

Canadian frostbite: On the India-Canada diplomatic war

India must consider the impact of its next steps on its diplomacy and image

After a year of frosty (ठंडा) exchanges and declining relations, India and Canada have declared diplomatic war, as India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed this week that the Canadian government had sought to investigate and even interrogate (पूछताछ करना) the Indian High Commissioner and five other diplomats, naming them “persons of interest” for the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Mr. Nijjar, who was shot dead in June 2023 in British Columbia, was wanted by India. In a press conference, the Canadian police (RCMP) detailed their suspicions (संदेह) that the Indian diplomats were somehow involved with an Indian criminal network they believe is responsible for the killing, as well in the targeting of some in the Indian diaspora (प्रवासी समुदाय). The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has alleged political interference by India’s diplomats, something hitherto it had accused China of. India’s MEA has called the charges “preposterous (बेतुका, हास्यास्पद)”, accusing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of orchestrating (सावधानीपूर्वक आयोजन करना, व्यवस्थित करना) the investigations for political gain with a pro-separatist Khalistani votebank, given his record-low ratings ahead of the 2025 general election. India also accused what it called the Canadian “regime” for providing space to “violent extremists and terrorists to ... intimidate (डराना, धमकाना) Indian diplomats and community leaders...”, in the name of free speech. Delhi and Ottawa have each expelled six diplomats. With the reduced staff strength in the High Commissions in both capitals and an outraged India reserving the right to further action, it could well mean drastic cuts in visas and curtailed direct travel links.

With the die cast for worsening ties, New Delhi must consider carefully the impact of its next steps not only on Indian diplomacy but also India’s image. While it is imperative (अनिवार्य, जरूरी) to defend India’s diplomats, it is equally important to investigate the allegations (आरोप) that Indian intelligence agencies have overstepped (सीमा पार करना, अतिक्रमण करना) in operations in the case. The RCMP’s naming of Indian underworld gangster Lawrence Bishnoi must also be investigated. As India’s adversaries seek to draw links between allegations against Indian intelligence and national security operations in Pakistan, the UAE, Qatar, Canada and the U.S., even India’s close partners are looking askance. The U.S.’s statement, that India should cooperate with Canada, must be seen as evidence of that. India’s dual policy towards the Nijjar case, which it outrightly rejects any connection to, and the Pannun case in the U.S. — it has sent a high-level inquiry team — also raises questions. The government must prove it has nothing to hide. It must also be more transparent about how it expects to deal with this challenge, and to reports that link Canada’s allegations to India’s top leadership including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Home Minister Amit Shah. Above all, New Delhi must step up an international campaign to ensure accountability from Canada: to either present verifiable (सत्यापित करने योग्य) evidence, or to stop casting this shadow over India’s reputation (प्रतिष्ठा) and its diplomats.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Frosty (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - ठंडा
English Meaning - Very cold or unfriendly in manner.

2.Interrogate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - पूछताछ करना
English Meaning - To ask questions of someone, often formally or aggressively.

3.Suspicion (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - संदेह
English Meaning - A feeling or belief that something is wrong without definite proof.

4.Diaspora (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रवासी समुदाय
English Meaning - The dispersion of people from their original homeland.

5.Preposterous (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - बेतुका, हास्यास्पद
English Meaning - Completely absurd or ridiculous.

6.Orchestrate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - सावधानीपूर्वक आयोजन करना, व्यवस्थित करना
English Meaning - To carefully organize or arrange an event or situation to achieve a particular result.

7.Intimidate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - डराना, धमकाना
English Meaning - To frighten or overawe someone, especially in order to make them do what one wants.

8.Imperative (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अनिवार्य, जरूरी
English Meaning - Of vital importance; crucial.

9.Reputation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतिष्ठा
English Meaning - The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.

10.Allegation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - आरोप
English Meaning - A claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong, typically without proof.

11.Verifiable (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - सत्यापित करने योग्य
English Meaning - Able to be checked or demonstrated as true.

12.Overstep (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - सीमा पार करना, अतिक्रमण करना
English Meaning - To go beyond what is allowed or acceptable.