India, Canada expel diplomats over murder accusations: What led to the diplomatic row | Latest News India – Hindustan Times
On Monday, October 14, 2024, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including India’s high commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma. The expulsion was in response to accusations that the Indian government had orchestrated homicides and extortion within Canada to intimidate and silence Sikh separatists. The Indian government denies these claims but retaliated by expelling six Canadian diplomats.
This diplomatic fallout between Canada and India stems from the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh cleric who was killed in June 2023 outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Canadian authorities claim the killing was part of a broader campaign by the Indian government targeting Sikh activists in Canada. The accusations have escalated tensions, with both nations now engaging in tit-for-tat expulsions of each other’s diplomats.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the issue publicly, stating that Canada would never tolerate foreign interference on its soil, especially when it involved violence against its citizens. Trudeau emphasized the severity of the matter during a press conference in Ottawa, noting that he had already confronted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation during a recent summit in Laos. Despite this, Canada did not receive the cooperation it sought from India in its investigation.
The diplomatic dispute highlights a long-standing issue between the two nations. Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside of India, and within this community, some individuals support the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent Sikh homeland separate from India. The Indian government has accused some of these activists of promoting terrorism and working against India’s territorial integrity.
In response to the Canadian government’s actions, Mélanie Joly, Canada’s foreign minister, explained that the six expelled Indian diplomats were directly linked to the assassination of Nijjar. She also mentioned that Canada had requested India to waive the diplomatic immunity of these individuals so they could be questioned by Canadian law enforcement. However, India refused, prompting Canada to act.
Canadian law enforcement, led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has been investigating what they describe as a criminal network involving Indian agents operating within Canada. Mike Duheme, the head of the RCMP, said during a press briefing that Indian agents were involved in homicides, extortions, and other violent acts aimed at silencing Sikh separatists in Canada. The investigation also revealed more than a dozen credible threats to life within the Sikh community.
Despite these serious allegations, India has categorically denied any involvement. In its own statement, the Indian government argued that the expulsion of its diplomats was unjust and based on political motivations. It also accused Canada of fostering an atmosphere of extremism and violence, which, according to India, endangered its diplomats in Canada. The Indian government also noted that the expelled Canadian diplomats, including Stewart Wheeler, the chargé d’affaires, were no longer welcome in India.
The allegations against India come at a delicate time for international relations. Canada’s accusations have drawn the attention of its intelligence allies, including the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, which together form the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. Trudeau confirmed that he had briefed these countries on the matter, although it is unclear how this will impact their respective relationships with India.
India has long been a rising middle power, sought after for its economic growth and strategic importance, particularly as a counterweight to the growing influence of China and Russia. However, this diplomatic conflict with Canada puts India’s international reputation at risk, especially at a time when global powers are increasingly concerned about foreign interference in domestic politics.
In Canada, the issue of foreign interference has been a topic of national concern. In June 2024, a Canadian parliamentary report named India and China as the two countries posing the greatest risk of political interference. This report was based on intelligence gathered by Canada’s national security agencies and further underscored the vulnerabilities faced by democratic nations in the age of globalized political conflicts.
As this conflict unfolds, both Canada and India are navigating a complex situation that touches on issues of national sovereignty, international law, and the rights of diaspora communities. The accusations of assassination and criminal activity have taken their toll on diplomatic relations between the two countries, with little sign of resolution in the immediate future.
For now, the expulsions of diplomats on both sides have intensified the rift. The investigation into the assassination of Nijjar continues, with Canadian authorities determined to pursue what they believe is a criminal campaign orchestrated by a foreign government. However, without cooperation from India, the path forward remains uncertain, and the diplomatic crisis is far from over.
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