Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused India of violating Canadian sovereignty amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
This accusation follows allegations that Indian government agents were involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.
During a parliamentary inquiry, Trudeau stated that there are clear indications that India has infringed upon Canada’s sovereignty through illegal activities conducted by Indian diplomats.
He emphasized that Canadian intelligence agencies have credible information linking Indian operatives to Nijjar’s murder, which he described as a terrible error on India’s part. Trudeau’s remarks come as tensions have intensified following the expulsion of diplomats from both countries.
Canada recently expelled six Indian diplomats, citing their involvement in coercive operations against Canadian citizens. In response, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner in New Delhi.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has categorically rejected Trudeau’s allegations, labeling them as absurd and accusing him of pursuing a political agenda aimed at securing domestic support from Canada’s Sikh community.
The ministry asserted that Canada has provided no evidence to substantiate its claims and condemned what it called Trudeau’s “reckless conduct.”In a statement, Indian officials expressed concern over the safety of their diplomats in Canada, accusing the Canadian government of fostering an environment conducive to extremism and violence against Indian nationals.
The diplomatic fallout has raised alarms about the future of Canada-India relations, which have historically been strong but have deteriorated significantly over the past year.
Trudeau has emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two nations but acknowledged that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen is an unacceptable violation of sovereignty.
As both countries navigate this complex situation, the international community is closely monitoring developments, particularly regarding potential implications for security and diplomatic relations in the region.
