Canada vs India: Explosive Diplomatic Showdown Over Assassination Allegations
Diplomatic tensions between Canada and India intensified this week, with both nations expelling diplomats in a retaliatory exchange on Monday. The controversy traces back to last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. These claims, which India has dismissed as "absurd" and "motivated," have caused ongoing friction between the two countries. Nijjar, labeled a Khalistani terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June of last year. Canadian authorities have repeatedly pointed to potential links between the killing and "agents" of the Indian government. On the other hand, India has accused Canada of harboring extremists and anti-India factions within its borders. What sparked the latest tensions? This week, the debate around Nijjar's killing resurfaced when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner revealed they had evidence of “criminal activity carried out by agents of the Government of India.” The RCMP claims to have gathered substantial evidence showing the extent of criminal operations allegedly directed by Indian government agents. The Canadian official also accused Indian diplomats and consular staff in Canada of exploiting their positions to conduct covert activities, including gathering intelligence for the Indian government. "Despite our law enforcement actions, the threat has persisted, endangering public safety. We felt it was necessary to confront the Indian government and publicly disclose some of the significant findings from our investigations," the RCMP Commissioner stated. How did India react? India swiftly responded on Monday, "strongly" rejecting these allegations. It also refuted claims that its High Commissioner and other diplomats were under investigation, describing such suggestions as "baseless and politically motivated" by the Trudeau administration. India further criticized the Canadian government for fostering an environment that allegedly supports violent extremists and terrorists who "harass and threaten" Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada. Hours after summoning Canada's Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, calling the targeting of its diplomats and officials in Canada "unacceptable."
