Following Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s accusations that the Indian government was involved in killing a prominent Khalistani leader on Canadian soil, New Delhi has rejected any attempts to connect the government of India to such developments.
In a retaliatory move, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat after Canada announced it had expelled an Indian diplomat from the country.
The Allegations
On Monday, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of killing Khalistani leader and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
Nijjar was shot outside a Sikh Gurdwara on 18 June in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver with a significant Sikh population.
He was designated a “terrorist” by the Indian government in July 2020 for his separatist activities and had an Interpol red corner notice.
#ExpressFrontPage | "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India said.https://t.co/uqLKAPF9TD
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 20, 2023
Canada said it was “actively pursuing credible allegations” against the involvement of foreign government agents in the killing, calling the murder “an unacceptable violation” of its sovereignty.
Trudeau said that he had brought Canada’s concerns in no uncertain terms to Indian PM Modi during their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit last week.
During a discussion in the Canadian parliament on the killing of Najjar, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that the allegations that a representative of a foreign government may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil are unacceptable.
Following this, Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat from the country.
The Canadian trade mission to India was also called off, and the India-Canada Free Trade Agreement has been put on hold.
Canada Not Trying to Provoke India
In his latest comments on the matter, Trudeau said on Tuesday, “The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness.”
Saying that Canada was not trying to provoke India, Trudeau remarked, “We are simply laying out facts as we understand them, and we want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear.”
Amid escalating tensions, the Canadian PM said, “It is extremely serious, and it has far-reaching consequences in international law and otherwise.”
India Rejects Allegations
Calling the allegations “absurd and motivated,” India rejected Trudeau’s claims.
In its statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) added that when Trudeau made similar allegations in his meeting with Modi, the latter rejected them completely.
“Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the MEA stated.
India rejects allegations by Canada:https://t.co/KDzCczWNN2 pic.twitter.com/VSDxbefWLw
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 19, 2023
India said the Canadian government’s inaction on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern.
Strongly objecting to Trudeau’s remarks, the MEA said, “The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking, and organised crime is not new.”
India also urged the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from its soil.
India Expels Senior Canadian Diplomat
In a retaliatory move, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, Olivier Sylvestre, based in India and asked him to leave India within the next five days.
India also summoned the High Commissioner of Canada to India, Cameron MacKay, to inform him about the decision.
The MEA said, “The decision reflects Government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.”
Sylvestre has been identified as a Canadian intelligence operative functioning from the Canadian High Commission in Delhi.
The allegations have drawn a wedge in India-Canada relations, which have witnessed continued friction over the issue of the Khalistani movement.