Before Canada there was Khobragade: The worst diplomatic faceoffs India had to navigate

Tensions have escalated between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of playing an alleged role in the killing of a wanted Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on June 19 in Canada.

Since then, both countries have roped into a series of contentious events, including denials, cautioning their citizens, expulsion of diplomats, issuance of death threats, visa suspensions, and even killings. These developments mark a significant downturn in India-Canada relations, characterised by a barrage of diplomatic and non-diplomatic blows from both sides.

Tensions involving and straining nations' diplomatic relations often remain the battleground for resolving disputes without resorting to outright conflict. India, a nation of diverse complexities and interests, has encountered several high-stakes diplomatic faceoffs that have tested its diplomatic prowess, with each incident demanding deft handling and strategic diplomacy. Here, we delve into some of the most notable diplomatic faceoffs in India's history.

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Operation Brasstacks (1986-87)

• Operation Brasstacks was a massive military exercise conducted by India in Thar, near the Pakistan border in the winter of 1986-87.
• The sheer scale, consisting of half of the Indian Army troops along with the Indian Navy, the exercise raised alarm bells in Pakistan, triggering fears of an incoming attack. This escalated tensions significantly.
• Diplomatic channels buzzed with concerns and accusations, leading to heightened rhetoric, which the West jumped into as well. The situation only de-escalated after intense diplomatic negotiations and confidence-building measures.

Doklam standoff (2017)

• In 2017, India and China found themselves embroiled in a tense standoff over a disputed border area in the Doklam plateau, near the Chumbi Valley at the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. India pushed ahead to save the territorial integrity of Bhutan and both sides deployed troops, leading to a dangerous standoff.
• Diplomatic talks between India and China became strained, with both nations issuing strong statements one after another. It was only through backchannel and a mutual understanding to withdraw troops that the situation finally diffused.

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Devyani Khobragade case (2013)

• The arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in the United States over charges of visa fraud and underpaying her domestic fuelled an all-out diplomatic crisis between the US and India as the latter perceived the arrest as an attack on its sovereignty as she was strip searched and arrested.
• India retaliated by taking a series of measures, including removing security barriers outside the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and reducing privileges for American diplomats.
• The case strained relations but was eventually resolved through legal and diplomatic channels.

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India-Nepal map disputes (2020)

• A dispute over the newly inaugurated Pithoragarh-Kalapani Road by Defence Mister Rajnath Singh in North Eastern Uttarakhand led to heightened tensions as Nepal has objections over Kalapani's inclusion in the Indian territory.
• Soon, Nepal, under then PM KP Sharma Oli, released a new map that included the disputed area, and India rejected this move.
• Diplomatic talks stalled as both nations maintained their positions. A resolution has remained elusive, and the border issue continues to strain relations.
• A similar India-Nepal diplomatic faceoff took an ugly turn in 2015 when the Terai/ Madheshi parties and their affiliates blocked all the goods from getting into and out of the landlocked country as they had reservations against the misrepresentation of Madheshis in the Nepalese Constitution. 
• The mainstream hill-based Nepali parties believed that the Government of India was responsible for the situation, a claim that was refuted by the former Minister of External Affairs, Shushma Swaraj.

Nuclear tests (1998) and Kargil War (1999)

• In 1998, India conducted a series of nuclear tests to safeguard its territorial integrity, raising concerns globally about nuclear proliferation and regional stability as Pakistan was involved in the Nuclear race also. This led to India's isolation, sanctions and condemnation in the global arena, propelled by the West, as back then the USA was a close ally of Pakistan.
• Diplomatic ties were strained, but India pursued a policy of responsible nuclear use, eventually leading to nuclear cooperation understandings and agreements with several countries.
• The tensions were soon followed by the Kargil War in 1999 when Pakistani forces infiltrated Indian territory near Kargil and tried to cut off the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, escalating a long-standing conflict in the region.
• This time, diplomacy took a backseat as military operations dominated under the leadership of PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The conflict ended with a ceasefire brokered by international actors and a return to the status quo along the Line of Control. During the ongoing war, the USA once reportedly denied India access to GPS technology for the use of its Armed Forces.

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India's diplomatic history is marked by instances where tensions escalated and diplomacy was put to the test. While some faceoffs resulted in disruptions and strain, others were eventually resolved through negotiations and confidence-building measures.