Canada-India Diplomatic Clash Escalates Amid Assassination Allegations

The bilateral relations between Canada and India are facing a significant strain due to Canada’s accusations that India may have played a role in the assassination of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil. This ongoing dispute has led to both countries expelling senior diplomats and raising concerns about diplomatic ties.

The controversy arose following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and prominent Sikh leader, in June. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly stated that Canadian security agencies had been investigating “credible allegations” linking India to Nijjar’s killing. This revelation triggered a series of retaliatory expulsions of diplomats from both nations.

Canada responded to the allegations by expelling an Indian diplomat, identified as the head of India’s intelligence agency in Canada. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth and expressed Trudeau’s efforts to raise the issue with world leaders like U.S. 

President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

India responded in kind by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The Indian foreign ministry cited concerns about Canadian diplomats’ interference in their internal matters and their alleged involvement in anti-India activities as the reasons for the expulsion.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a well-known Sikh leader in western Canada, and his murder deeply affected the Sikh community in Canada, one of the largest Sikh communities outside of India. Following Trudeau’s remarks, prominent Sikh community groups in Canada, including the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council and the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, called for the suspension of intelligence, investigative, and prosecutorial cooperation with India.

Nijjar was known for his support of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland. The Khalistan movement is banned in India and regarded as a national security threat, with associated groups listed as “terrorist organizations” under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Nijjar’s name appeared on the Home Ministry’s list of UAPA terrorists, and the Indian National Investigation Agency accused him of attempting to radicalize the Sikh community globally in favor of Khalistan.

India vehemently rejected Trudeau’s allegations, deeming them “absurd and motivated.” The Indian government emphasized its commitment to the rule of law and expressed concerns about Khalistani terrorists and extremists finding shelter in Canada.

The international community, including the White House and Australia, has expressed deep concern about the allegations and called for a thorough investigation.

This diplomatic row threatens to strain Canada-India relations further, with trade agreements on hold and ongoing tensions surrounding Sikh activism within Canada’s Sikh diaspora. Relations between the leaders of both nations have been frosty for years, with Trudeau’s perceived sympathies toward Sikh activists contributing to the strain.

The Khalistan movement has a complex history, marked by violent clashes between its supporters and the Indian government. While the movement remains on the fringes within India, it continues to find sympathizers within the global Sikh diaspora, particularly in countries like Canada, Britain, and Australia.

As Canada and India navigate this diplomatic crisis, its impact on bilateral relations, trade agreements, and the stance of the Sikh community regarding Khalistan remains uncertain.