New Delhi, September 19: India has swiftly responded to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations by rejecting them as "absurd and motivated" in connection to the June killing of a Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In a tit-for-tat move, both countries have also expelled each other's diplomats over the issue. Here are the key points in this escalating diplomatic row:
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed his government had "credible allegations" linking the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June to "agents of the Government of India."
- India summoned Canadian High Commissioner Cameron MacKay following Trudeau's accusations, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations.
- Trudeau emphasised in an emergency parliamentary session that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is a violation of their sovereignty and the principles of free, open, and democratic societies.
- India vehemently rejected Trudeau's allegations, expressing deep concern over Canadian political figures openly sympathising with such elements. India argued that unsubstantiated allegations were deflecting attention from Sikh leader and extremists who found shelter in Canada, posing a threat to India's sovereignty.
- India urged Canada to take prompt action against all "anti-India elements" operating from its territory, highlighting a history of illegal activities, including murders, human trafficking, and organised crime, occurring in Canada.
- While Canada did not name the Indian diplomat it expelled, Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie revealed that the individual was the head of India's intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), in Canada.
- Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the former head of the Khalistani Tiger Force and the Canadian arm of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), was killed by unknown assailants near a gurdwara in Surrey in June. Nijjar, originally from Punjab's Jalandhar, had moved to Canada in 1997 and was wanted in India for his alleged involvement as the "mastermind" of the Khalistani Tiger Force, a designated terror group in India.
- The Indian anti-terror agency announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh on Nijjar last July in connection with the murder of a Hindu priest in Jalandhar, Punjab. Nijjar was also accused in the 2007 cinema bombing in Punjab. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing recent attacks on Indian diplomatic missions in Canada, the UK, and the US.
- Canada has become a favored hub for expat Sikhs, with a growing rise in extremism over the past few years. Recent months witnessed multiple Khalistani activities in Canada, including protests outside the Indian Embassy and the appearance of threat posters targeting Indian diplomats.
- The escalating diplomatic tensions prompted Canada to postpone a trade mission to India planned for October, following a public scolding by Prime Minister Modi at the G20 summit in Delhi. PM Modi expressed concerns over rising secessionist activities and Khailstan-supporters' attacks on Indian diplomatic missions in Canada. The situation underscores the increasing strain between the two nations.
- PTC NEWS
