The Facts
On Thursday, India stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in New Delhi amid an escalating diplomatic row over the murder of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil.
Though it didn't provide any evidence, the Indian foreign ministry said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has taken the decision due to "security threats" to its staff in its consulates in Canada that have "disrupted their normal functioning."
The Spin
Narrative A
Canada's allegations are serious and unprecedented in the country's history. If it's true that India was involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, then that gross violation of Canada's sovereignty must be met with swift and decisive action. Ottawa must get to the bottom of the matter, even if it means ruffling feathers in New Delhi.
Narrative B
It's shameful that Canada is accusing New Delhi of killing Nijjar on foreign soil. Although Nijjar was a terrorist involved in a conspiracy to kill a Hindu priest, that doesn't mean India was complicit in his death. Canada must stop levying baseless allegations that detract from the real threat of secessionists who threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
