Canada’s acting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been facing severe criticism for his anti-India stance, which has repeatedly strained India-Canada relations. His policies and statements, from supporting Khalistani elements to interfering in India’s internal affairs, have led to a diplomatic disaster. The global embarrassment his government is facing today is a result of a series of missteps, which have not only distanced Canada from India but have also diminished Trudeau’s credibility on the international stage. As written in Hamlet, “When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.” Trudeau’s diplomatic failures seem to be coming all at once, compounding his troubles.
Trudeau’s first major diplomatic failure occurred in 2018 when he visited India with his family. Instead of strengthening ties, his trip was overshadowed by the revelation that Jaspal Atwal, a convicted Khalistani terrorist, was part of his delegation. This exposed Trudeau’s indirect support for Khalistani separatists in Canada and led to an unprecedented snub from the Indian government. His visit lacked high-level engagements, and he was not given the same diplomatic warmth that is usually extended to world leaders. This incident severely damaged the India-Canada relationship.
The tensions escalated in 2020-21 when Trudeau interfered in India’s farmers’ protests, openly supporting the demonstrators. His statement that “Canada will always stand for the right to peaceful protests” was viewed as unwarranted interference in India’s internal matters. The Indian government criticized his remarks, terming them politically motivated and unnecessary. This further deteriorated bilateral relations, as India saw it as an attempt to appease his domestic pro-Khalistani vote bank rather than a genuine concern for human rights.
In September 2023, Trudeau made the most serious allegation yet, accusing Indian intelligence agencies of involvement in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Without presenting any concrete evidence, he claimed that India played a role in Nijjar’s death, leading to an intense diplomatic standoff. India strongly denied the allegations, calling them absurd and politically motivated. In retaliation, India demanded a reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence in the country. However, what truly exposed Trudeau’s diplomatic weakness was that no major Western nation openly supported his claims. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia all adopted a neutral stance, merely calling for a “transparent investigation” but stopping short of backing Canada’s allegations. This diplomatic failure showcased Trudeau’s declining global influence and weak international credibility.
By 2024, Trudeau’s anti-India policies were not only being questioned globally but also within Canada. His failure to act against Khalistani extremists operating in Canada led to rising concerns about terror financing and radicalization. Attacks on Hindu temples, threats to the Indian diaspora, and pro-Khalistani posters inciting violence against Indian diplomats further exposed his government’s lack of action against extremist elements. Despite these serious developments, Trudeau continued to hide behind the excuse of freedom of expression, further alienating India and damaging his international reputation.
Trudeau’s diplomatic setbacks have now intensified with the return of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Historically, Trump and Trudeau have had a tense relationship, with Trump once calling him “weak and dishonest” after the 2018 G7 summit. Trump had previously accused Canada of betraying U.S. interests and was known for his harsh stance on weak leadership. Now that he is back in power, Trudeau faces an even tougher geopolitical landscape. Trump has openly praised India’s leadership, calling it “a great country and a crucial ally”, while simultaneously criticizing Trudeau’s governance. With Trump’s pro-India and tough-on-terror approach, Canada will likely face increased pressure to curb Khalistani extremism or risk further diplomatic isolation.
Adding to Trudeau’s troubles, Elon Musk, one of the world’s most influential business leaders, has also attacked his leadership. Musk has previously compared Trudeau to Hitler, accusing him of acting like a dictator while pretending to be a democrat. Musk has been vocal about Canada’s restrictions on free speech and the growing radicalization under Trudeau’s leadership. At the same time, Musk has shown great interest in expanding business in India, calling it “the next big innovation hub”. His statements reinforce the shifting global preference towards India, further isolating Trudeau.
Now, Trudeau not only faces criticism from India but also from the U.S. and within Canada. His economic policies, deteriorating diplomatic relations, and inability to curb extremism have weakened his standing as a leader. The international community increasingly sees him as an ineffective and failing politician who prioritizes domestic vote-bank politics over global diplomacy. As Shakespeare wrote in King Lear, “The worst is not so long as we can say, ‘This is the worst.’” Trudeau might feel like things couldn’t get worse, but his political future looks even bleaker.
As the world moves closer to India, Trudeau’s anti-India stance is proving to be a disastrous political miscalculation. If he continues on this path, his political career may soon face a major collapse, and Canada may find itself further isolated on the world stage.
( Rajiv Khare Bureau Chief Chhattisgarh)
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