00:00 As we bid farewell to the roller coaster that was 2023 in global politics, India stands
00:06 tall after successfully orchestrating a peaceful and prestigious G20 summit.
00:12 It was almost like a diplomatic soiree of the year, akin to a blockbuster party where
00:16 everyone despite uncertainties and tensions danced and mingled.
00:21 But like any good party, there is always that one guest who brings a bit of a chill.
00:26 In this case, Canada decided to play the role of the unexpected diplomatic grinch.
00:31 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau graced India with his presence, but he came bearing
00:36 some unexpected gifts.
00:39 Concerns about India's quote-unquote extrajudicial killings.
00:43 Quite a conversation starter, isn't it?
00:45 Hoping for a heart-to-heart, Trudeau sought meetings with Indian officials on this matter.
00:50 However, India, with a memory as sharp as a hawk, recalled Trudeau's past visit and
00:55 thought it's best to dodge a deja vu.
00:58 The summit wrapped up and lo behold, Trudeau and Modi had a rendezvous.
01:03 Just twice.
01:06 Once for the pleasantries and again on the G20 sidelines.
01:09 Meanwhile, countries like the US, Italy and Germany scored primos laws for diplomatic
01:15 tea time with India, but not Canada.
01:18 To add insult to this injury, Trudeau's visit took an unexpected turn when his plane glitched,
01:23 confining him to his hotel room for a week.
01:27 Forbidden from venturing out, speculation brewed about what exactly is happening.
01:31 Finally, he left India after a solitary week.
01:35 Trudeau departed India with his officials, leaving a curious air behind.
01:39 Everyone thought, "OK, it's over."
01:41 But little did they know, it was just a start.
01:44 His single statement sparked a wildfire of diplomatic discord.
01:48 The already tense relationship between India and Canada hit a boiling point over the presence
01:54 of Khalistan separatists finding shelter in Canada.
01:57 Matters intensified after Hardeep Singh Nijjar, labelled a terrorist by India, was murdered
02:03 in June.
02:04 Trudeau labelled Indian involvement in Nijjar's death, which escalated tensions further.
02:09 "For the past number of weeks, Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible
02:15 allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing
02:22 of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar."
02:26 India swiftly denounced these claims as baseless, leading to a tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats,
02:32 signalling a rapid deterioration in ties.
02:35 Firstly, Canada called for the Indian staff in Canada to leave the embassy.
02:39 India's response grew sterner, demanding a drastic reduction in Canada's diplomatic
02:43 staff due to concerns over activities of anti-India elements.
02:48 Trade connections also felt the strain, with India re-evaluating investments and student
02:53 visa regulations for Canadians.
02:55 Public outrage surged, igniting protests in both nations.
02:59 Since then, visa services between both nations have largely been suspended, despite a slight
03:04 resumption in recent times.
03:06 Since 2015, this rollercoaster of relations between the two nations has left the world
03:11 puzzled and amused in equal measures.
03:15 The saga kicked off with the infamous Jaspal Attawal invitation fiasco.
03:20 Canada seemingly obvious to diplomatic decorum, invited a former Sikh separatist to dinner
03:24 during Trudeau's visit to India.
03:26 India not the one to shy away from a little drama, retaliated by giving Canada a silent
03:31 treatment.
03:32 PM Modi and Justin Trudeau didn't meet for four days during Trudeau's 2018 visit to India.
03:38 High-level meetings were also axed faster than you could say diplomatic blunder, with
03:42 India slamming the interference in its internal affairs as unacceptable.
03:48 The plot thickened even more when Canada decided to play the human rights champion, poking
03:52 its nose into the Kashmir issue.
03:54 India responded with an eye roll so audible that you could practically hear it, labelling
03:58 Canada's concern as unwanted meddling.
04:01 It's almost as if they forget diplomatic boundaries existed.
04:05 Fast forward to the farmer protest in 2020, their comments hit a nerve in India sparking
04:10 yet another round of heated exchange.
04:12 Oh but wait, there's more.
04:14 The Khalistan card came into play with Canada being side-eyed for hosting separatist elements.
04:20 India accused Canada of turning a blind eye to Khalistan separatism.
04:24 Then the pandemic hit and guess what?
04:26 Canada decided it is the perfect time to critique India's vaccine policies.
04:31 Bravo, there's nothing says good diplomacy like kicking someone when they're down.
04:36 India's response was probably a bemused face palm at this moment.
04:40 And now the tensions have come to this point that it appears that the diplomatic missions
04:44 between the nations will be called off soon.
04:47 This ongoing saga of India-Canada relations is almost like a sitcom that always shows
04:52 unexpected plot twists.
04:54 It seems that in Canada, the liberal elite, just in Trudeau, wants to be the world's
04:58 moral compass.
04:59 But India prefers to set its own course without unsolicited advice.
05:13 [BLANK_AUDIO]
