India has taken a strong stance against Canada’s latest move in the ongoing dispute over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In response to a diplomatic communication from Canada alleging the involvement of Indian diplomats in Nijjar’s death, India has summoned Canada’s Charge d’Affaires to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Canadian communication suggested that India’s High Commissioner and other diplomats are ‘persons of interest’ in a Canadian investigation into the murder. India has sharply criticized this move, labeling it as ‘vote bank politics’ on behalf of the Trudeau Government.
The current tension stems from allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September 2023, accusing India of potential involvement in Nijjar’s killing. Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani extremist, was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia in June 2022. India has repeatedly refuted these accusations as ‘absurd’ and demanded evidence, which Canada has failed to provide.
The Ministry of External Affairs, in a strong statement, highlighted that despite repeated requests, Canada has not shared any evidence to support its claims. The ministry stated, “This latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts. This leaves little doubt that on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains.”
India maintains that the Canadian government’s allegations are politically motivated and lacks any factual basis. This incident further escalates the already strained relations between the two nations. It remains to be seen how this diplomatic showdown will unfold and what repercussions it might have on India-Canada relations in the future.