Indian Envoy Challenges Canada: Where Is the Evidence on Terrorism?

"Accusations Need Evidence": Indian Envoy Slams Canada Over Decades of Inaction on Terrorism

India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has delivered a scathing critique of Ottawa’s security approach, asserting that Canada has failed to act on four decades of Indian evidence regarding terrorism while demanding immediate action on unsubstantiated allegations.

In a high-stakes interview on CBC’s Power & Politics, Patnaik highlighted a glaring double standard in the India-Canada diplomatic row, noting that while India is expected to answer for the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar without seeing any evidence, its own dossiers on extremist groups have been ignored since the 1985 Air India bombing.

Facts Behind the 40-Year Evidence Argument

Patnaik pointed to the 1985 Air India bombing. He said Canada let extremist groups grow for decades; he believes this led to security problems today. Currently, four people are in court for the Nijjar case. Patnaik says these are individuals, not the Indian government. He argues that India cannot help with the probe if Canada does not share real evidence.

Despite the tough talk, things are getting better. Both countries are worried about new trade taxes from the United States. Also, Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, plans to visit India in February 2026. Patnaik said that trust is slowly returning to the relationship, and both nations need to work together on trade and security to move forward.

How Will the India-Canada Diplomatic Row Affect Students and Visas in 2026?

On 6 January 2026, India added Canada back to its e-Visa system. Now, Canadians can get a visa online in about 72 hours. This is a big change from the ‘visa freeze’ of the last two years. It helps families visit each other and helps businesspeople travel for work.

Education rules are also changing for the better. As of 1 January 2026, Canada made it easier for advanced students. If you are a Master’s or PhD student, you do not have to follow the strict caps on study permits anymore. Both countries want to protect students and trade from political fights. In 6 months, we can expect trade and travel to grow even if the two governments still disagree on security.