The diplomatic tension between India and Canada has escalated dramatically, marked by mutual accusations and the expulsion of diplomats from both nations. This crisis was ignited by the 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, with Canada alleging that Indian officials were directly involved.
In a sudden press conference, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made serious allegations against India. He claimed that Canada had shared evidence of Indian officials’ involvement in Nijjar’s murder with its Five Eyes intelligence allies, particularly the United States. Trudeau noted that Canada has faced similar patterns of behavior from India in the past, suggesting attempts at extrajudicial killings.
Trudeau mentioned that Canada had reached out to the Indian government through various security and diplomatic channels to address the issue and ensure the safety of Canadians. However, he accused India of ignoring the evidence, denying involvement, and launching personal attacks against Canadian institutions. Consequently, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats.
In response, India firmly denied the allegations and criticized Canada’s actions as unjustified and politically driven. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed distrust in Canada’s ability to protect Indian officials, accusing Trudeau’s government of fostering extremism and separatism against India.
India also highlighted Trudeau’s past actions, including his 2018 visit to India, which they claim was aimed at appealing to a specific voter base. They pointed out that some members of Trudeau’s cabinet have alleged connections to extremist and separatist movements related to India.
This diplomatic fallout has further strained relations between the two nations, raising significant concerns about future bilateral cooperation. With both countries accusing each other of undermining diplomatic norms, the situation remains highly volatile, and the potential for further escalation looms.