A dramatic political rupture between India and Canada has cast a spotlight on a top confidante of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been mentioned as a possible successor to lead the world’s most populous country.

The prime ministers of India and Canada condemned violence that broke out on Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the countries. Videos posted on social media appeared to show people hitting each other with flagpoles and throwing punches in the Toronto suburb of Brampton.

Hindu temples in Canada and Australia have been vandalised in recent weeks, while a mosque in Auckland was set alight on Tuesday.