The diplomatic rift between Canada and India has escalated significantly, marked by heated accusations and rising tensions. This conflict intensified after Canada alleged that India was involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist, in Surrey last year. Recently, Canada accused India of operating an extensive espionage and organized crime network within its borders.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly addressed these allegations and briefed British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on the situation. The UK expressed its “full confidence in Canada’s judicial system” and urged India to cooperate with the legal process, emphasizing the importance of respecting sovereignty and the rule of law.
The situation has resulted in a series of retaliatory actions. Last week, Canada named Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and other diplomats as ‘persons of interest’ in the ongoing Nijjar investigation. In response, India expelled six senior Canadian diplomats and issued a stern statement rejecting Canada’s claims.
Canada retaliated by accusing India of conducting a comprehensive sabotage campaign, alleging involvement in violent acts against the South Asian community in Canada and interference in Canadian democracy. Canadian authorities claimed that Indian diplomats engaged in covert operations, including information gathering for the Indian government. Trudeau further accused India of using “clandestine information gathering techniques” and being involved in numerous threatening and violent acts, including murder.
India strongly denied Trudeau’s allegations, labeling them as “preposterous imputations” driven by a “political agenda” aimed at securing votes. India asserts that Trudeau is exploiting the conflict to gain support from a particular demographic in Canada while neglecting the broader implications. Additionally, India accused Trudeau of catering to the Khalistan movement, a separatist group seeking an independent Sikh state, and of providing refuge to anti-India terrorists and organized crime syndicates in Canada.
This diplomatic crisis underscores a long-standing conflict between the two nations. The ongoing exchange of accusations reveals the growing mistrust and tension between Canada and India, raising significant concerns about the future of their bilateral relations.