The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada was already strained for some time in the wake of recent developments related to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
On Monday, Singh expressed support for the Canadian government’s decision to expel Indian diplomats. ANI quoted him as saying, “We support today’s decision to expel India’s diplomats and we’re calling on the Government of Canada yet again to put diplomat sanctions against India in place, ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Network (RSS) in Canada, and commit to pursuing the most severe consequences for anyone found to have participated in organized criminal activity on Canadian soil.”
Singh cited concerns about information released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), indicating that Canadian Sikhs face threats and harassment. “New Democrats are extremely worried about the information released by the RCMP commissioner today. Canadians, particularly, the Sikh community in Canada, have been stalked by fear, threats, harassment, and violence,” the news agency reported quoting Singh.
The RCMP, on October 14, released a statement outlining violent criminal activity linked to agents of the Indian government. The statement addressed major issues such as violent extremism affecting both countries, ties between Indian government agents and violent acts, creating perceptions of an unsafe environment, and interference in democratic processes.
Singh also alleged that Canada has credible evidence linking Indian officials to Nijjar’s murder. He stated, “Canada has long held credible evidence that the Narendra Modi government was involved in the murder of Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.”Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced the expulsion of six Indian diplomats over a “targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India.” Joly emphasized, “The decision to expel these individuals was made with great consideration and only after the RCMP gathered ample, clear and concrete evidence.”In response, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, including the Acting High Commissioner, citing unacceptable targeting of Indian diplomats in Canada. India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that the individuals must leave India by October 19, 2024.
The diplomatic tensions have increased following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations last year about Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing, which India has denied. Nijjar, labeled a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was killed in June 2023, an incident that escalated the tensions between the two nations.
