In a significant escalation of tensions, India and Canada have expelled each other's senior diplomats, stemming from an investigation into the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This marked a sharp decline in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
On Monday evening, India’s foreign ministry announced its decision to withdraw its high commissioner and other officials, citing a lack of confidence in Canada’s ability to protect its diplomats. The Indian government stated that six senior Canadian diplomats would also be expelled from New Delhi in retaliation.
Canadian media outlets, including the Globe and Mail, reported that Canada had expelled Indian diplomats first. According to unnamed officials, evidence linked India’s high commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, and several other diplomats to Nijjar’s assassination.
Nijjar, a prominent Canadian Sikh advocate for the Khalistan movement—which seeks an independent homeland for Sikhs—was shot outside a gurdwara in Vancouver in June of last year. The Indian government has previously accused Nijjar of involvement in Khalistani terrorism.
The controversy escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly claimed that there were “credible allegations” suggesting Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s murder. In response, India denied the allegations, describing them as "absurd." On Monday, India’s foreign ministry reiterated its strong rejection of Canada’s claims and expressed outrage at the targeting of its diplomats.
India summoned Canada’s charge d’affaires in New Delhi to convey its dissatisfaction, labeling the allegations as “ludicrous.” The Indian ministry accused Trudeau's government of pursuing a political agenda and claimed that Canada had failed to provide any substantial evidence regarding Indian involvement in the assassination since the allegations were first made in September 2023.
Despite India's denials, Canadian reports suggest that the Canadian government had presented evidence to India last week, but it was reportedly dismissed by the Indian government.
Nijjar’s killing has led to a significant chilling of diplomatic relations between the two nations, with accusations emerging that the Modi government has engaged in a campaign of transnational killings against individuals deemed threats to the Indian state. This was further highlighted last November when U.S. agencies thwarted an alleged assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist and dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, reportedly linked to Indian government officials.
In addition to Pannun, other Sikh activists in North America and the U.K. have reported receiving threats to their lives. The White House has taken these allegations seriously, confirming they were discussed at the highest levels of the Indian government.
India has initiated its own investigation into the alleged attempted assassination of Pannun, concluding that the attack was orchestrated by “rogue agents.” Intelligence reports have indicated that India has been involved in numerous assassination plots against individuals in Pakistan and other countries as part of a broader strategy to eliminate perceived threats.
As tensions continue to escalate, Canada's national police force is expected to disclose further details regarding the Indian government’s alleged ties to criminal activity within Canada. Earlier this year, three Indian nationals residing in Canada on student visas were charged in connection with Nijjar’s murder. However, authorities stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and includes examining possible connections to the Indian government.
No comments:
Post a Comment