In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Canada and India, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused the Indian government of engaging in violent criminal activities on Canadian soil, posing a direct threat to public safety. The accusation, backed by evidence gathered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has led to the expulsion of six Indian diplomats from Canada.
Trudeau, in a strongly worded statement, outlined a disturbing pattern of alleged misconduct by Indian government officials, including clandestine information gathering, coercion of South Asian Canadians, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder. He claimed that Canadian law enforcement had made numerous attempts to work with their Indian counterparts on these matters but were repeatedly rebuffed.
The Prime Minister highlighted the case of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, who was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023. Trudeau alleged that there is credible evidence pointing to the involvement of Indian government agents in Nijjar’s death, a claim that India has vehemently denied.
The expulsion of the six Indian diplomats marks a significant escalation in the ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two countries. It follows India’s decision to expel six Canadian diplomats in retaliation for Canada’s actions. This move came after Canada accused the Indian government of targeting its High Commissioner and other diplomats in a “baseless” campaign.
The deteriorating relationship between Canada and India has been simmering for months, fueled by the allegations surrounding Nijjar’s death. The incident has also sparked protests from the Sikh community in Canada, who see Nijjar as a martyr.
Trudeau’s statement has sent shockwaves through both countries, raising concerns about the future of their diplomatic relationship. The accusations of Indian government involvement in criminal activities on Canadian soil are serious, and the expulsion of diplomats signals a significant deterioration in trust. It remains to be seen how India will respond to these accusations and what impact this will have on bilateral relations between the two countries.