India-Canada ties 're-normalising': India's former envoy says was 'treated like a criminal' during Nijjar crisis

Former India envoy to Canada Sanjay Verma has said he was “treated like a criminal” during the Nijjar case diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, even as he noted that ties are now slowly stabilising under what he described as a “new normal”.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Verma said relations are being “re-normalised”, with both sides now separating areas of cooperation from points of disagreement. “I don’t use the word reset, but now it is being re-normalised. Both the countries are trying to establish a new normal,” he said to the Indian daily.

Reflecting on the fallout of the crisis, Verma highlighted the personal toll it took. “The new normal does not erase what has happened earlier. My colleagues and our families had to undergo emotional harassment. Some had to leave their children behind, and students had to drop out of universities to return. The human side of it is huge,” he said.

He further emphasised that the impact continues. “I have a family member in Canada today. I still can’t go and visit… I was treated as a criminal, accused without any evidence,” Verma said, noting that the allegations have not been proven even months later. “I still carry that stigma in the court of public opinion.”

Verma also pointed out that he is “the first ever serving Indian ambassador to be declared persona non grata—not even by Pakistan,” underscoring the unprecedented nature of the move.

In October 2024, Verma was declared persona non grata by the government of Justin Trudeau over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar—an allegation India strongly denied.

Recounting the episode, he said Canadian officials asked him to submit to questioning. “I was told I was a person of interest… that’s not normal diplomatic practice,” he said to The Indian Express. India responded by expelling Canadian diplomats in a reciprocal move.

‘Carney has opened space for recalibration’

Verma suggested the earlier tensions were politically driven and said a change in leadership under Mark Carney has opened space for recalibration. “Whenever there is a change, there is a window of opportunity,” he said, pointing to renewed engagement, including outreach by Narendra Modi.

He described Carney as a “global citizen” with a pragmatic outlook shaped by his international experience.

Khalistan issue and its long shadow

Verma traced the roots of tensions to the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, arguing that the lack of closure contributed to the rise of extremist networks in Canada.

He alleged that such elements expanded their influence over time, entering political and institutional spaces while engaging in intimidation and organised crime. “They felt they could get away with it,” he said.

‘People need to return to normal lives’

Verma also raised concerns about the impact on the Sikh community in Canada, claiming many individuals face intimidation and are hesitant to speak openly. “They need to return to normal lives,” he said.

Despite the strained past, Verma expressed cautious optimism that both countries are moving towards a more pragmatic and balanced relationship, even as key differences remain unresolved.