Janice R. Andrews
A major diplomatic rift has opened between India and Canada following accusations of Indian involvement in the 2022 assassination of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil. Both nations have taken the extreme step of expelling each other’s diplomats, signaling a severe breakdown in relations.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced that their investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent advocate for Sikh independence, implicated Indian government agents. In response, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the ambassador to Ottawa. India swiftly retaliated by expelling an equal number of Canadian diplomats, denouncing the allegations as politically motivated and unsubstantiated.
Canadian authorities claim to have uncovered evidence of ongoing criminal activities linked to Indian government representatives in Canada, accusing them of conducting covert operations against Sikh separatist groups. India has vehemently denied these accusations, demanding proof and criticizing Canada for damaging India’s global reputation.
The murder of Nijjar, a naturalized Canadian citizen and outspoken supporter of the Khalistan movement for Sikh independence, has brought long-standing tensions to the forefront. India has long considered the Khalistan movement a significant security threat, while Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside India.
This incident has severely strained previously cordial India-Canada relations, which were already under pressure following similar accusations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year. The situation escalated further when India temporarily suspended visa services for Canadian citizens and later threatened to revoke immunity for Canadian diplomats in India.
The controversy has broader international implications, with recent allegations in the United States of an Indian government agent plotting to assassinate another Khalistan advocate on American soil. As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely monitoring developments, recognizing the potential impact on global diplomacy and security.
This diplomatic crisis marks a critical juncture in India-Canada relations, with both countries facing difficult decisions about how to navigate this complex and sensitive issue moving forward.
