Canada expels an Indian diplomat over possible link to Sikh’s slaying. India says that’s ‘absurd’

Canada has expelled a senior Indian diplomat amidst an ongoing investigation into alleged links between the Indian government and the assassination of Sikh independence activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the allegations as credible and emphasized that Canadian intelligence agencies have been probing the matter.

Nijjar was actively involved in organizing an unofficial referendum in India for an independent Sikh nation, known as Khalistan, at the time of his death. Indian authorities had previously announced a cash reward for information leading to his arrest, accusing him of involvement in an attack on a Hindu priest in India. The Khalistan movement is banned in India, where it is considered a national security threat. However, it still garners support in regions of India and among the Sikh diaspora in countries like Canada and the United Kingdom.

Trudeau, addressing Parliament, made it clear that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of sovereignty. He urged the Indian government to cooperate with Canada in the investigation. In response, India’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegations as “absurd and motivated,” suggesting that such claims divert attention from what they see as threats posed by Khalistani terrorists and extremists sheltered in Canada.

This expulsion of a top Indian diplomat has further strained relations between Canada and India, impacting trade talks and resulting in the cancellation of a planned trade mission. During the G20 meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns about Canada’s handling of the Punjabi independence movement among overseas Sikhs.

Canada’s Public Safety Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, highlighted that Canadian authorities are actively investigating the case as a homicide, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police leading the effort. Trudeau also discussed the matter with U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with the White House emphasizing the importance of the investigation.

Canadian opposition leader Jagmeet Singh, who is of Sikh descent, found the situation outrageous and shocking, considering the potential link between a Canadian citizen’s murder on Canadian soil and a foreign government.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada described Nijjar as a vocal supporter of Khalistan and claimed that he had spoken publicly about threats to his life from Indian intelligence agencies. The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for foreign interference and the complex historical backdrop of Sikh separatism in India.

India has a history of targeting Sikh separatism, notably the 1984 storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar and subsequent anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Modi’s government has also faced accusations of intensifying efforts against Sikh separatists, particularly during the farmers’ protests and other incidents involving the Khalistan movement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Diplomatic Tensions

More about Diplomatic Tensions

• Canada expels top Indian diplomat over Sikh activist’s murder
• Sikh separatism in India
• Hardeep Singh Nijjar
• Khalistan Movement
• Diplomatic Relations between Canada and India
• 1984 Operation Blue Star and anti-Sikh riots