India Expels Top Canadian Diplomat Amid Escalating Sikh Killing Accusations
India has expelled one of Canada’s top diplomats as tensions between the two countries escalate over Canadian accusations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver. The move comes after India dismissed the allegations as absurd and expressed concerns over what it sees as Canadian interference in its internal affairs and involvement in anti-India activities. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has voiced his desire to work with the Indian government to address the matter.
The accusations stem from the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh leader who was killed by masked gunmen in June near Vancouver. While India has long maintained that Nijjar has links to terrorism, Canada has yet to provide any evidence of Indian involvement. If true, it would mark a significant shift for India, known for its security and intelligence presence in South Asia. However, planning an assassination in Canada, home to a substantial Indian diaspora, would be unprecedented.
The strained relation between Canada and India has been further exacerbated by the exchange of expulsions. Prime Minister Trudeau had tense encounters with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent G20 meeting in New Delhi, and shortly afterward, Canada canceled a planned trade mission to India.
Nijjar, a plumber and a prominent figure in the movement for an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan, had been a wanted individual by Indian authorities. At the time of his killing, he was working with a group known as Sikhs For Justice to organize an unofficial Sikh diaspora referendum on independence from India. The Canadian actions have brought relief to Nijjar’s family and the Sikh community, who have long suspected Indian government involvement in his death.
The Canadian government has highlighted that security agencies are investigating credible allegations of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, emphasizing that any foreign government involvement would be a violation of Canada’s sovereignty. India, on the other hand, has dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused Canada of harboring terrorists and extremists.
The Sikh independence movement has been a contentious issue between the two countries. India has demanded that Canada take action against the banned movement, which resides in Canada’s substantial Sikh population. In recent years, there have been Sikh independence protests in Canada, including instances of vandalism at Indian diplomatic missions.
As the allegations made by the Canadian government are unprecedented, critics in India question whether Canada has concrete evidence of Indian involvement in the killing or if Trudeau is attempting to cater to Canada’s Sikh community for political gain.
These allegations have raised international concern, with the British government stating that there are no plans to reopen an investigation into the death of a UK-based Sikh activist following Canada’s claim of Indian involvement. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how the diplomatic clash between Canada and India will unfold and whether further evidence will emerge to support the accusations made by Canada.
In conclusion, the escalating tensions between India and Canada over the Sikh killing accusations have resulted in the expulsion of a Canadian diplomat by India. While Canada has accused India of involvement in the slaying, India has dismissed the allegations as absurd, emphasizing the need for evidence and expressing concerns over Canadian interference in its internal affairs. The situation highlights the ongoing struggles between the two countries regarding the Sikh independence movement and raises questions about the motives behind the allegations made by Canada. As the investigations continue, the diplomatic clash between Canada and India will undoubtedly have broader implications for their relationship.
