India-Canada Standoff: Why the Indian Diaspora in Canada Should Worry

India-Canada Standoff: Indian Diaspora Caught in the Crossfire

While the India-Canada diplomatic standoff has escalated to unprecedented levels, the Indian diaspora in Canada finds itself in an increasingly precarious position. The situation took a serious turn after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist. India swiftly dismissed the allegations, calling them "absurd" and politically driven. In the aftermath, both countries have expelled diplomats, adding fuel to an already fraught relationship.

Amid these diplomatic exchanges, the Indian diaspora in Canada is caught in a delicate balancing act—concerned about deteriorating bilateral ties and the impact it could have on their lives. It is causing deep unease among the Indian diaspora, particularly within the Sikh community, which now finds itself at the centre of rising tensions. Many feel trapped in the crossfire, as anti-India sentiments surge in certain parts of Canada. Canadian authorities are struggling to manage these growing tensions, which have been heightened by vocal extremists from pro-Khalistani groups. This has led to an environment of discomfort and, in some cases, heightened safety concerns for Hindus and other Indian communities living in Canada.

India-Canada Strife: Why Indian Diaspora Should be Concerned

India-Canada Standoff: Indian Diaspora Caught in the Crossfire

While the India-Canada diplomatic standoff has escalated to unprecedented levels, the Indian diaspora in Canada finds itself in an increasingly precarious position. The situation took a serious turn after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist. India swiftly dismissed the allegations, calling them "absurd" and politically driven. In the aftermath, both countries have expelled diplomats, adding fuel to an already fraught relationship.

Amid these diplomatic exchanges, the Indian diaspora in Canada is caught in a delicate balancing act—concerned about deteriorating bilateral ties and the impact it could have on their lives. It is causing deep unease among the Indian diaspora, particularly within the Sikh community, which now finds itself at the centre of rising tensions. Many feel trapped in the crossfire, as anti-India sentiments surge in certain parts of Canada. Canadian authorities are struggling to manage these growing tensions, which have been heightened by vocal extremists from pro-Khalistani groups. This has led to an environment of discomfort and, in some cases, heightened safety concerns for Hindus and other Indian communities living in Canada.

India-Canada Strife: Why Indian Diaspora Should be Concerned

Canada, home to one of the largest Indian expatriate populations in the world, is now grappling with the ramifications of the India-Canada diplomatic standoff. With approximately 1.3 million residents of Indian origin, constituting around 4% of the Canadian population, there are rising concerns regarding the implications for immigration policies, student visas, and economic collaborations between the two nations.

The current tensions have particularly heightened anti-India sentiments among pro-Khalistani groups in Canada, raising alarm bells within the Indian community. Reports indicate that the Indian diaspora, especially those who are Hindu or who openly express support for India, may increasingly face harassment or discrimination in both social and professional settings.

Security concerns loom large as well, underscored by troubling statistics. Historically, there have been numerous instances of violence against Indians in Canada, including attacks that have sometimes resulted in fatalities. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India, Canada has remained the top destination for Indian students studying abroad, with over 400,000 Indian students currently enrolled there. However, a disturbing trend has emerged: the Indian government's reports indicate that at least 633 Indian students have died overseas in the past five years, with 172 of those cases occurring in Canada. 

Many of these tragic fatalities have been connected to violent acts, including murder, further intensifying concerns among the Indian community in Canada. A recent case that exposes the grim situation is that of Jashandeep Singh Mann, an Indian-origin student from Punjab, who was brutally stabbed to death in Alberta in September. According to Canadian officials, Mann was attacked by an assailant who was unknown to him. 

The Probe previously reported on the case of Chirag Antil, another Indian student who lost his life in a shocking shooting incident in Vancouver in April this year. Such violent episodes have intensified longstanding concerns about the security of the Indian community in Canada, especially as the ongoing India-Canada standoff adds fuel to the fire. As the diplomatic conflict unfolds, fears of increased hostility and violence loom large, leaving many in the diaspora feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their safety in a country they once considered a haven.

If security concerns weren’t enough, many members of the Indian diaspora in Canada have also faced racial discrimination and hate crimes that manifest in various aspects of their everyday lives, including employment, education, and social interactions. Numerous South Asians have reported experiences of racial profiling and systemic bias, which often result in negative outcomes in the workplace—barriers to career advancement and unequal pay.

The frustration is palpable within the community, with many Indians using social media platforms to voice their discontent. “Man, I was born here, and I've been feeling racism creep in now, and I never felt this way growing up,” shared one user on Reddit. Another lamented, “I have been living in Canada for the past four years and have noticed increasing racism and hate being shown towards Indians. Trudeau has completely destroyed the Canadian economy with his woke politics, and now every single issue is being blamed on Indians.” A third comment pointedly noted, “Canadians are a lot more racist towards Asians and Indians than most other people. Vancouver is the Asian hate capital of the western world. Instead of asking their government to not accept a lot of immigrants or ensure that immigrants have enough money saved to have a decent time in Canada, they are going on about attacking Indians.”

The ongoing India-Canada row is expected to further strain bilateral relations, impacting collaborations across various sectors such as trade, education, and technology. This tension could result in reduced investment opportunities and business collaborations, greatly affecting Indian entrepreneurs and professionals in Canada. Moreover, the standoff is expected to lead to stricter immigration regulations and increased scrutiny for Indian nationals, including potential delays or rejections of visas and student applications—consequences that could stifle the aspirations of countless students and skilled workers from India.

On online platforms, various groups have emerged, allowing Indians to speak out against the hate they encounter in Canada. Unfortunately, there seem to be no legitimate channels for addressing their concerns. As for the leaders of both nations, Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Modi may find themselves politically insulated; both are in their third terms and facing many domestic challenges. They might be perceived as nationalist leaders taking extreme measures to protect their countries, potentially benefiting politically from the heightened tensions. In this geopolitical chess game, the ones who stand to lose the most are the members of the Indian diaspora in Canada, caught in a spiral of escalating conflict and social strife.