Canada's latest allegations against India will worsen already strained relations, reducing the possibility of near-term reconciliation and increasing the likelihood of consular service limitations, travel disruptions for Indian employees and protests from activist groups, though bilateral trade will likely remain mostly unaffected. On Oct. 14, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused Indian diplomats and consular staff in Canada of using their official roles for covert activities on Canadian soil, including by working with organized crime groups to sponsor murders, extortion and intimidation targeting Indian dissidents and the broader South Asian community in Canada. RCMP also accused India of interfering in democratic processes, though they did not provide specifics. Amid these allegations, the Canadian government announced the same day that six Indian diplomats and consular officials -- including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, the country's top diplomat in Canada -- had been formally expelled from the country. Canada's foreign minister, Melanie Joly,...
