The diplomatic spat between India and Canada has reached a new boiling point as India’s ambassador to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has denied any involvement in the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This denial comes on the heels of Verma’s expulsion from Canada, a move allegedly based on his alleged links to the killing.
Verma, in a fiery statement, has criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accusing him of damaging the delicate bilateral relationship between the two nations. Verma asserts that Trudeau’s actions are based on mere intelligence rather than concrete evidence, labeling the expulsion as a politically motivated maneuver.
In an interview broadcast on Sunday, Verma told CTV, “On the basis of intelligence, if you want to destroy a relationship, be my guest. And that’s what he did.” When directly questioned about his potential involvement in Nijjar’s murder, Verma stated unequivocally, “Nothing at all. No evidence was presented. (This is) politically motivated.”
The expulsion of six diplomats from both countries is a result of a tit-for-tat response, with Canada citing Nijjar’s murder in British Columbia last year as the reason for the expulsion. Trudeau directly linked the expelled diplomats to the murder.
This latest development adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between India and Canada. Canada is home to a significant Sikh population, the largest outside of their home state of Punjab. Protests advocating for a separate homeland for Sikhs, carved out of India, have been a source of tension between the two nations, with New Delhi viewing them with displeasure.
The diplomatic fallout from these accusations will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences on the future of India-Canada relations, with the potential for further escalation and mistrust. The international community will be closely watching how both countries navigate this complex and delicate situation.