The escalating diplomatic crisis between India and Canada took another dramatic turn as India recalled its High Commissioner and expelled six Canadian diplomats, including the Canadian Charge d’Affaires. This decisive action followed allegations made by the Canadian government linking Indian agents to the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India expressed its strong displeasure with Canada’s accusations, calling them “concocted” and “preposterous imputations” motivated by the “political agenda of the Trudeau government.” India asserted that these allegations endangered the safety of its diplomats and officials in Canada.
The MEA underscored that the Canadian government’s actions demonstrated a lack of commitment to ensuring the safety of Indian personnel. As a result, India decided to withdraw its High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other targeted diplomats and officials. The MEA also conveyed that India reserves the right to take further actions in response to Canada’s alleged support for extremism and separatism against India.
The expelled Canadian diplomats, including Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheelers and Deputy High Commissioner Patrick Hebert, were given until 11:59 pm on October 19 to leave India. This drastic move signifies a significant deterioration in the already strained relationship between the two countries.
Amidst this escalating conflict, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer had a conversation. They discussed the paramount need to ensure the safety and security of their citizens and emphasized the importance of upholding and respecting the rule of law. Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canada’s ongoing interest in cooperation with India to address this critical issue.
The Canadian government has maintained that it possesses credible and irrefutable evidence linking Indian agents to the murder of Nijjar. It has called on India to investigate these allegations, asserting that it is time for India to live up to its commitments.
The current diplomatic crisis stems from allegations made by Prime Minister Trudeau in September 2022, suggesting a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. This accusation was met with strong denials from New Delhi, who dismissed it as absurd.
The recent actions by both countries have raised significant concerns about the future of India-Canada relations. The diplomatic spat, coupled with accusations and counter-accusations, has created a tense atmosphere between the two nations. It remains to be seen how this escalating conflict will be resolved and what implications it will have on future bilateral ties.