Trudeau and Modi Meet at ASEAN Summit as Tensions Persist Over Nijjar’s Assassination

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a “brief exchange” during the ASEAN Summit in Laos, marking their second interaction since diplomatic relations between Canada and India soured in 2023. Tensions escalated after Trudeau publicly accused India of being linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen murdered in British Columbia in June 2023.

Although Trudeau refrained from providing specific details of the conversation with Modi, he emphasized the need for both nations to address pressing issues. Speaking at a press conference in Vientiane, Laos, Trudeau reiterated, “There is work that we need to do. The safety of Canadians and upholding the rule of law is a primary responsibility for the Canadian government, and that remains my focus.”

The meeting comes at a critical time, with relations between Canada and India remaining strained. In September 2023, Trudeau announced that Canada was pursuing “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in the death of Nijjar, a Sikh leader with alleged ties to Khalistan separatist movements. Nijjar was shot outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, B.C., and four Indian nationals are currently facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy.

India has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “absurd” and accusing Canada of providing a haven for individuals involved in violent extremist activities. Despite the accusations, the Canadian government continues to stand by its claims, with Trudeau stating, “Our national security agencies and law enforcement are fully engaged in this matter.”

The tensions have further intensified after Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly described the current state of relations as “tense” and “very difficult.” Speaking during a Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, Joly expressed concerns about potential threats to other Canadians following Nijjar’s assassination. She revealed that Canada has been urging India to cooperate in the investigation into Nijjar’s murder, but no such cooperation has been forthcoming.

“We are calling for India’s participation in this investigation because, at the end of the day, we want to hold everyone responsible for Nijjar’s murder accountable, and we want to prevent any further incidents,” Joly said.

Trudeau also expressed his concerns over the escalating violence impacting Indo-Canadians. “We have observed troubling patterns of violence against Indo-Canadians across the country in recent months, and this is something we are closely monitoring,” Trudeau stated. His remarks highlight the growing anxieties within Canada’s South Asian community, as fears of further violence mount.

Despite the brief exchange at the ASEAN Summit, Modi did not hold a bilateral meeting with Trudeau. Modi engaged with several other world leaders during the summit, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, one of Canada’s partners in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

As the high-profile murder case makes its way through Canadian courts, the diplomatic rift between Canada and India shows no signs of abating. Trudeau remains committed to his stance, emphasizing, “The safety of Canadians and the preservation of our legal system are core duties of my government, and we will continue to focus on these responsibilities.”