India and Canada Expel Top Diplomats Amid Intensifying
Row Over Sikh Separatist’s Assassination

Los Angeles/Oct 14, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/A.Gary Singh

Tensions between India and Canada have escalated as both nations expelled top diplomats following allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, in Canada last year. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that his government had credible evidence suggesting Indian agents played a direct role in Nijjar’s killing, an accusation India vehemently denied, calling it "preposterous."

Nijjar, an advocate for the pro-Khalistan movement seeking a separate Sikh homeland, was shot outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June 2023. India had labeled him a terrorist, while his supporters dismissed the claim as baseless. Trudeau's statements have heightened diplomatic tensions, leading to both countries demanding the withdrawal of diplomats. Canada expelled Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, while India asked Canada’s acting High Commissioner, Stewart Ross Wheeler, and five other diplomats to leave the country by October 19.

The diplomatic fallout also saw India suspend visa services for Canadian citizens and accuse Trudeau of appeasing Canada's large Sikh community for political reasons. The situation has further strained relations, with Canadian police revealing that there have been over a dozen credible threats to pro-Khalistan figures in Canada, intensifying concerns about public safety.
Despite diplomatic attempts to mend relations, including India’s resumption of visa processing in October 2023, the situation remains volatile. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly recently described the relationship with India as "tense" and warned of ongoing threats to pro-Khalistan supporters in the country.

The diplomatic spat marks a new low in India-Canada relations, with both sides showing little sign of backing down amid growing calls for accountability over Nijjar’s killing.

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