NEW DELHI (AP) — The recent Group of 20 Summit hosted by India was a major success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His commitment to making the African Union a permanent member was fulfilled, and the group reached a consensus under his leadership. This accomplishment was viewed as a significant foreign policy victory for Modi and solidified India’s position as an emerging global power.
However, the situation has drastically changed since then, as India now faces a diplomatic crisis. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a surprising claim, suggesting that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh Canadian citizen in Vancouver. Trudeau cited “credible allegations” of New Delhi’s involvement, which India vehemently denied, calling it absurd. This accusation has led to a deterioration in relations between the two countries, with both sides expelling diplomats and implementing visa restrictions.
The timing of these allegations couldn’t have been worse for India, as Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar prepares to address the United Nations. The controversy surrounding the Sikh Canadian’s assassination has tarnished India’s achievements at the G20 Summit, according to Happymon Jacob, founder of the New Delhi-based Council for Strategic and Defense Research. This incident has brought India back down to earth and created a crisis that needs to be resolved quickly and cautiously, says Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute.
While tensions were already simmering between Trudeau and Modi during the G20 Summit, with Trudeau being snubbed by Modi and experiencing travel complications, the recent allegations have further strained their relationship. India has long sought greater recognition at the United Nations, particularly a permanent seat at the Security Council. The country believes that the Security Council does not reflect the current geopolitical realities and wants more representation that aligns with its rising soft power. Jaishankar has expressed confidence that India’s rapid growth and importance cannot be ignored indefinitely, and that the Security Council will eventually have to grant permanent membership.
However, as India waits for the Security Council to expand, Modi has been actively involved in various international groups to ensure that his country remains at the forefront of global politics. India participates in both Western-oriented groups like the Quad and the G20, as well as organizations where countries like Russia and China dominate, such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This balancing act has become a defining aspect of India’s multipolar foreign policy.
India’s diplomatic influence has increased due to its refusal to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, a stance that resonates with many developing countries. The West, recognizing India’s significance in countering China, has strengthened ties with Modi, overlooking concerns about democratic backsliding in his government.
The recent international controversy may potentially jeopardize India’s growing relationship with the West. Although initial responses from Canada’s Western allies, including the United States, were lukewarm, the White House has since expressed deep concerns. The U.S. ambassador to Canada confirmed that intelligence provided by the “Five Eyes” alliance implicated India in the assassination. The United States now expects India to cooperate with Canada in the investigation.
As India attends the United Nations General Assembly, there is a chance for Indian and Canadian diplomats to meet and defuse tensions. Additionally, face-to-face meetings with other important partners could help minimize the damage caused by the crisis. However, if the dispute escalates to the U.N. podium, it could lead to further conflict and distract from the achievements India hoped to showcase on the global stage.
In conclusion, India’s diplomatic triumphs at the G20 Summit have been overshadowed by allegations of its involvement in a Canadian Sikh’s assassination. This crisis poses a significant challenge for India as it prepares to address the United Nations and may impact its burgeoning relationships with Western nations.
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