The longstanding Canada-India diplomatic conflict has taken a new turn, flaring up the tense relations between both nations. Both Canada and India recently declared the expulsion of higher-ranking diplomats. The intensification follows the serious allegations of Canadian officials. The allegations claim that agents of the Indian government are involved in actions jeopardizing the safety of Canadians.
The conflict escalated when India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that it had received a formal diplomatic communication from Canada, indicating that certain Indian diplomats were being considered as “persons of interest” in an ongoing investigation in Canada.
What is the Recent Canada-India Diplomat Row?
Indian Diplomats Received Notice of Expulsion from Canada
According to a Canadian government official, Sanjay Kumar Verma and five other diplomats had been notified that they were “persona non grata,” effective on 14th October 2024.
“Keeping Canadians safe is the fundamental job of the Canadian government. The decision to expel these individuals was made with great consideration and only after the RCMP gathered ample, clear and concrete evidence which identified six individuals as persons of interest in the Nijjar case. We continue to ask that the Indian government support the ongoing investigation in the Nijjar case, as it remains in both our countries’ interest to get to the bottom of this.”
– MĂ©lanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
This decision comes as Canadian investigators look into what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has characterized as “credible allegations” linking the Indian government to the Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death. As a “deeply unacceptable violation of Canada’s sovereignty and international law,” Trudeau condemned India’s actions.
He further added that the alleged operations included the acquisition of secret information, coercive tactics aimed at South Asia Canadians, and involvement in more than a dozen violent and intimidating crimes, including murder.
India Expelled 6 Canadian Diplomats
India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly refuted the Canadian accusations. They stated that “under the guise of an investigation, there is a calculated strategy to tarnish India for political gain.” The ministry underlined that the Canadian government “has not provided a single piece of evidence” to back up their assertions.
The ministry summoned Canada’s chargĂ© d’affaires in India to inform that the “unfounded targeting of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada is entirely unacceptable.” After this diplomatic confrontation, India retaliated by announcing the expulsion of 6 Canadian diplomats. The ministry expressed, “We have no faith in the current Canadian Government’s commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials.”
In a statement released by MEA all the Canadian diplomats are asked to leave the country by or before 11:59 on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The expelled diplomats are Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, Deputy High Commissioner Patrick Hebert along with first secretaries Marie Catherine Joly, Ian Ross David Trites, Adam James Chuipka, and Paula Orjuela.
How Did Canda-India Tensions Escalate?
Tensions between India and Canada heightened with PM Justin Trudeau’s claims in September 2023. The leader revealed that Canadian authorities were investigating a “credible allegation of a potential link” between Indian government agents and the Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder.
Nijjar was shot on June 18, 2023, outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. He was a prominent supporter of the Khalistan movement. India however, vehemently refuted any wrongdoings and allegations regarding its involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. The Indian administration labeled the claims as “absurd.” Furthermore, the Indian government alleged Nijjar’s involvement in terrorism.
Following the onset of Canada’s allegations, both nations removed their diplomats. India also halted diplomatic services to Canadians.
Tensions flared up once again in May 2024. The Canadian authorities revealed the arrest of three men, all Indian nationals, accused of involvement in Nijjar’s killing. At that time, the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) was investigating “any potential ties to the government of India.” Later that month, Canadian officials detained a fourth Indian in connection with Nijjar’s murder.
In response, S Jaishankar, the MEA in New Delhi dismissed these developments. They asserted that Canada was under “political compulsion” to place blame on India.
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Naina Jaggi is an author deeply rooted in Journalism, mainly writing on lifestyle, entertainment, travel, politics and financial markets. This diverse experience has allowed her to blend rich details with engaging narratives that capture the essence of various worlds. When she is not crafting tales, you’ll find her immersed in music and enjoying the company of dogs. She is also into K-dramas, thriller and horror movies that fuel her imagination, bringing the same spark to her stories.
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