IRIA News

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Tensions between India and Canada have deepened as both nations expelled senior diplomats amidst allegations surrounding the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused the Indian government of being directly involved in Nijjar’s assassination, based on what he described as “credible allegations” from Canadian police. Trudeau, speaking on live television, emphasized the seriousness of the evidence obtained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

“The evidence brought to light by the RCMP cannot be ignored,” he said. “It leads to one conclusion: it is necessary to disrupt the criminal activities that continue to pose a threat to public safety in Canada. That is why we acted.”

“Canada is a country rooted in the rule of law, and the protection of our citizens is paramount. That is why, when our law enforcement and intelligence services began pursuing credible allegations that agents of the Government of India were directly involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil – we responded,” he added.

Trudeau’s government claims that India’s state-sponsored agents have been involved in a series of crimes, including homicides, extortion, and violent acts, allegedly targeting supporters of the Khalistan movement, a separatist campaign seeking a Sikh homeland in India.

Despite efforts by the Canadian police and national security officials to collaborate with the Government of India on an urgent matter, cooperation has repeatedly been denied, Trudeau said in his statement. Consequently, Canadian officials took an extraordinary step this weekend by meeting with Indian representatives to present evidence from the RCMP, which identified six Indian agents as persons of interest in criminal activities.

“And despite repeated requests to the Government of India, they have decided not to co-operate.” Given that the Government of Canada, had only one choice: Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, issued a deportation notice for these six individuals, requiring them to leave Canada immediately.

“They must leave Canada. They will no longer be able to act as diplomats in Canada, nor to re-enter Canada, for whatever reason,” he said adding “We will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign government in threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil – a deeply unacceptable violation of Canada’s sovereignty and of international law.”

India’s response

The Indian government rejected the accusations of its involvement in the murder, calling them “preposterous,” with officials accusing Trudeau of leveraging these allegations to win support from Canada’s large Sikh population. “There is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains,” the statement added. “The aspersions cast on (High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma) are ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt.”

In a strongly worded statement, India’s foreign ministry condemned the charges as being influenced by Sikh separatist groups, maintaining that Canada has provided no concrete evidence to back its claims.
In response to the escalating situation, both countries have expelled top envoys.

Diplomatic fallout

Canada has expelled Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, while India has ordered six Canadian diplomats, including acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, to leave the country by October 19. India’s foreign ministry also announced that it would withdraw its own High Commissioner and other diplomats, citing concerns for their safety. “We have no faith in the current Canadian government’s commitment to ensure their security,” read India’s official statement.

Despite the diplomatic fallout, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has maintained that her government stands by the allegations and is committed to uncovering the full extent of Indian involvement in the murder. Speaking to reporters, Malanie added, “It is in the interests of both our countries and the peoples of our countries to get to the bottom of this.”

The RCMP has not publicly disclosed some aspects of the ongoing investigation, citing concerns about public safety. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme however stressed that there had been “over a dozen credible and imminent threats to life” specifically targeting pro-Khalistan figures in Canada. He added that these threats were so serious that they necessitated a confrontation with the Indian government. Duheme did not confirm whether these threats were directly linked to Nijjar’s assassination but acknowledged that Indian agents were involved in criminal activities on Canadian soil.

Nijjar murder case

Nijjar, a vocal advocate for the Khalistan cause, was killed by two masked gunmen outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June 2023. Canadian police have labeled his murder a “targeted attack.”

Hardeep Singh Nijjar had long been a thorn in India’s side due to his active support for the Khalistan movement. While his supporters saw him as a prominent Sikh leader fighting for a just cause, India had labeled him a terrorist with ties to militant separatist groups, a characterization that Nijjar’s followers have called baseless.

This diplomatic standoff has caused a rapid deterioration in ties between Ottawa and Delhi. In September 2023, Trudeau had already told Canada’s parliament that Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing represented a violation of Canada’s sovereignty. The frosty relationship was on the mend in October 2023, when India resumed visa services to Canadian citizens. However, tensions have now reached a boiling point, with Joly describing the current state of relations as “tense” and “very difficult.” She also warned that there remained a threat of further targeted killings on Canadian soil.

As the international community watches the unfolding situation, the expulsion of diplomats marks the latest chapter in an ongoing crisis that threatens to further isolate the two countries, with no clear resolution in sight.

Canada, home to the largest Sikh diaspora outside of India, is in a precarious position, balancing internal security concerns with the geopolitical fallout from its accusations against India. Meanwhile, India continues to defend its actions and diplomatic personnel, showing no signs of backing down amidst the international controversy.

Timeline of Canada-India tensions