Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that the remaining Indian diplomats in Canada are “clearly on notice” regarding the need to ensure Canadian safety, amid rising tensions over allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist.
This diplomatic standoff intensified after Canada expelled India’s high commissioner and five other diplomats, accusing them of being linked to a campaign of violence and intimidation against Sikh separatists in Canada. Joly emphasized that this level of transnational repression is unprecedented in Canadian history and cannot be tolerated, drawing parallels to similar actions by Russia in Europe.
In response to inquiries about further expulsions, Joly affirmed that the remaining Indian diplomats are under scrutiny. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has alleged that Indian diplomats have been involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist labeled a terrorist by India, who was shot dead in British Columbia last year. The RCMP claims that these diplomats provided information about Sikh activists to Indian authorities, which was then relayed to organized crime groups linked to various violent activities.
India has strongly rejected these accusations, labeling them “absurd,” and retaliated by expelling six Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner in New Delhi. The spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs criticized Canada for harboring individuals wanted for terrorism in India and highlighted a series of extradition requests that remain unresolved.
The ongoing diplomatic tensions follow Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement in September 2023, suggesting potential Indian agent involvement in Nijjar’s murder. India has long accused Canada of allowing Khalistani separatists to operate freely, despite their alleged links to terrorism in India.
