The diplomatic dispute between India and Canada escalated further this week, with Canada accusing Indian government agents of engaging in covert operations on Canadian soil. The accusations center on the alleged involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in British Columbia in June last year. Canadian authorities have now claimed that Indian agents are working in collaboration with criminal gangs, including the Bishnoi gang, to carry out covert operations targeting South Asian Canadians.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his government’s stance at a press conference, saying, “Canada will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign government in threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil.” He emphasized that the findings of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provided “clear and compelling evidence” that agents of the Indian government are engaged in activities that pose a significant threat to public safety.
Trudeau detailed the evidence, stating, “This includes clandestine information gathering techniques, coercive behavior targeting South Asian Canadians, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder. This is unacceptable.”
India Rejects Accusations, Denies Covert Links
In response to these fresh allegations, India strongly rejected the claims made by Canadian authorities. Indian government sources dismissed Trudeau’s accusations and refuted the notion that Indian agents were involved in such activities. The sources said Canada’s assertion that it had shared credible evidence with New Delhi regarding Nijjar’s killing was “simply not true.”
A senior Indian government official commented, “The central assertion from all Canadian officials is that credible evidence has been presented to India. This was also repeated by their Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheelers to the press. This is simply not true.”
New Delhi has also dismissed attempts by Canadian law enforcement agencies to link Indian agents to the Bishnoi gang, which Ottawa alleged had been involved in targeting pro-Khalistani elements. According to Indian sources, no specifics were provided by Canada to substantiate these claims.
Diplomatic Expulsions and Sanctions in the Air
The strained relations between the two countries took another hit when India expelled six Canadian diplomats on Monday, following Ottawa’s decision to link Indian officials to the probe into Nijjar’s killing. India also announced the withdrawal of its high commissioner from Canada, marking a significant diplomatic step.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, during a joint media briefing with Trudeau, did not rule out imposing sanctions against India. “So today was a really important step. When you look at what is available in our toolbox, expelling diplomats is one of the highest and toughest measures a country can take under the Vienna convention,” Joly said, adding, “Everything is on the table.”
Trudeau, in his comments, pointed to Canada’s repeated efforts to engage with Indian officials on this matter. “This weekend, Canadian officials took an extraordinary step. They met with Indian officials to share RCMP evidence, which concluded six agents of the Government of India are persons of interest in criminal activities,” he stated.
He further explained, “Despite repeated requests to the Government of India, they have decided not to co-operate. Given that the Government of India still refuses to cooperate, my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, had only one choice. Today, she issued a deportation notice for these six individuals. They must leave Canada. They will no longer be able to act as diplomats in Canada, nor to re-enter Canada, for whatever reason.”
India Pushes Back on Canada's Allegations
According to a PTI report, Indian sources have criticized Canada’s approach, accusing the country of making vague accusations and putting the burden of proof on India. “From the very beginning, the Canadian approach has been to make vague accusations and put the burden of denial on India,” an Indian official stated.
New Delhi also hit back at the targeting of its high commissioner in Canada, calling the move absurd. “It is absurd that after intensively engaging the high commissioner over the last year, the Canadian government now chooses to target him,” said Indian sources.
The Indian government has firmly maintained that there is no credible evidence to support Canada’s allegations and has rejected any attempts to link Indian officials to criminal activities in Canada. "In no case were any specifics provided," an Indian official remarked about the accusations involving the Bishnoi gang.
Escalation of Diplomatic Tensions
The diplomatic fallout between India and Canada began in September last year when Trudeau first alleged a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. New Delhi rejected the charges, calling them “absurd.” The latest developments, including diplomatic expulsions and accusations of covert operations, have plunged relations between the two countries to a new low.
As both nations continue to take a hard line on the issue, the diplomatic standoff shows no signs of easing. India has remained steadfast in its denial of any involvement in Nijjar’s death, while Canada continues to press for accountability. The ongoing exchange of accusations and retaliatory measures marks a significant deterioration in ties between the two nations, leaving the future of their diplomatic relations uncertain.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his government’s stance at a press conference, saying, “Canada will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign government in threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil.” He emphasized that the findings of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provided “clear and compelling evidence” that agents of the Indian government are engaged in activities that pose a significant threat to public safety.
Trudeau detailed the evidence, stating, “This includes clandestine information gathering techniques, coercive behavior targeting South Asian Canadians, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder. This is unacceptable.”
India Rejects Accusations, Denies Covert Links
In response to these fresh allegations, India strongly rejected the claims made by Canadian authorities. Indian government sources dismissed Trudeau’s accusations and refuted the notion that Indian agents were involved in such activities. The sources said Canada’s assertion that it had shared credible evidence with New Delhi regarding Nijjar’s killing was “simply not true.”
A senior Indian government official commented, “The central assertion from all Canadian officials is that credible evidence has been presented to India. This was also repeated by their Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheelers to the press. This is simply not true.”
New Delhi has also dismissed attempts by Canadian law enforcement agencies to link Indian agents to the Bishnoi gang, which Ottawa alleged had been involved in targeting pro-Khalistani elements. According to Indian sources, no specifics were provided by Canada to substantiate these claims.
Diplomatic Expulsions and Sanctions in the Air
The strained relations between the two countries took another hit when India expelled six Canadian diplomats on Monday, following Ottawa’s decision to link Indian officials to the probe into Nijjar’s killing. India also announced the withdrawal of its high commissioner from Canada, marking a significant diplomatic step.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, during a joint media briefing with Trudeau, did not rule out imposing sanctions against India. “So today was a really important step. When you look at what is available in our toolbox, expelling diplomats is one of the highest and toughest measures a country can take under the Vienna convention,” Joly said, adding, “Everything is on the table.”
Trudeau, in his comments, pointed to Canada’s repeated efforts to engage with Indian officials on this matter. “This weekend, Canadian officials took an extraordinary step. They met with Indian officials to share RCMP evidence, which concluded six agents of the Government of India are persons of interest in criminal activities,” he stated.
He further explained, “Despite repeated requests to the Government of India, they have decided not to co-operate. Given that the Government of India still refuses to cooperate, my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, had only one choice. Today, she issued a deportation notice for these six individuals. They must leave Canada. They will no longer be able to act as diplomats in Canada, nor to re-enter Canada, for whatever reason.”
India Pushes Back on Canada's Allegations
According to a PTI report, Indian sources have criticized Canada’s approach, accusing the country of making vague accusations and putting the burden of proof on India. “From the very beginning, the Canadian approach has been to make vague accusations and put the burden of denial on India,” an Indian official stated.
New Delhi also hit back at the targeting of its high commissioner in Canada, calling the move absurd. “It is absurd that after intensively engaging the high commissioner over the last year, the Canadian government now chooses to target him,” said Indian sources.
The Indian government has firmly maintained that there is no credible evidence to support Canada’s allegations and has rejected any attempts to link Indian officials to criminal activities in Canada. "In no case were any specifics provided," an Indian official remarked about the accusations involving the Bishnoi gang.
Escalation of Diplomatic Tensions
The diplomatic fallout between India and Canada began in September last year when Trudeau first alleged a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. New Delhi rejected the charges, calling them “absurd.” The latest developments, including diplomatic expulsions and accusations of covert operations, have plunged relations between the two countries to a new low.
As both nations continue to take a hard line on the issue, the diplomatic standoff shows no signs of easing. India has remained steadfast in its denial of any involvement in Nijjar’s death, while Canada continues to press for accountability. The ongoing exchange of accusations and retaliatory measures marks a significant deterioration in ties between the two nations, leaving the future of their diplomatic relations uncertain.
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