Trudeau Accuses India of Fundamental Error Amid Diplomatic Row Over Sikh Separatist’s Murder

Ottawa: Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India on Monday October 14 of making a “fundamental error,” as an escalating row over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil last year saw both countries expel each other’s ambassadors.

A grave Trudeau branded New Delhi’s actions as “unacceptable” during a press conference in Ottawa on the diplomatic expulsions, which saw tensions reach a new height after the 2023 murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Trudeau has previously said there were “credible allegations” linking Indian intelligence services to the killing. Both countries have traded barbs since then, culminating with the expulsions Monday of each other’s ambassadors and five other top diplomats in both countries.

“The government of India made a fundamental error in thinking that they could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canadians here on Canadian soil, whether it be murders or extortion or other violent acts,” Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa, hours after the expulsions were announced.

“We will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign government threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil, a deeply unacceptable violation of Canada’s sovereignty and of international law,” he said.

The expulsions came after New Delhi said its envoy had been named among “persons of interest” following the killing of Nijjar.

India “decided to expel” Ottawa’s acting High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler, his deputy and four first secretaries, ordering they leave before midnight on Sunday October 13 .

Ottawa announced similar measures in return, with Canadian police saying they had “evidence pertaining to agents of the government of India’s involvement in serious criminal activity” in Canada.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that India had refused to cooperate in the investigation, or to lift diplomatic immunity for its envoys.

“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,” she said in a statement, referring to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Nijjar — who immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became a citizen in 2015 — had advocated for a separate Sikh state, known as Khalistan, carved out of India.

He had been wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder.

Four Indian nationals have been arrested in connection with Nijjar’s murder, which took place in the parking lot of a Sikh temple in Vancouver in June 2023.

New Delhi had earlier said it had “received a diplomatic communication from Canada suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are persons of interest” in the ongoing investigation.

It said their envoy, Sanjay Kumar Verma, a former ambassador to Japan and Sudan, was a respected career diplomat and that the accusations were “ludicrous”.

New Delhi’s foreign ministry said it had told Verma to return home and that it had “no faith” in the Canadian government’s commitment to ensuring the six expelled diplomats’ security.

Murder

India on Monday  October 14 called allegations it was connected to the killing “preposterous” and a “strategy of smearing India for political gains.”

Last year, the Indian government briefly curbed visas for Canadians and forced Ottawa to withdraw diplomats, and on Monday threatened further action.

“India reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau Government’s support for extremism, violence and separatism against India,” the foreign ministry said.

The foreign ministry also summoned Canadian envoy Wheeler, who said that Ottawa had given India the evidence it had demanded.

“Canada has provided credible, irrefutable evidence of ties between agents of the Government of India and the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil,” Wheeler told reporters after leaving the ministry.

“It is in the interest of both our countries and the peoples of our countries to get to the bottom of this.”

India then announced his expulsion.

Canada is home to around 770,000 Sikhs, who make up about two percent of the country’s population, with a vocal minority calling for an independent state of Khalistan.

In November 2023, the US Justice Department also charged an Indian citizen living in the Czech Republic with allegedly plotting a similar assassination attempt on US soil.

Prosecutors said in unsealed court documents that an Indian government official was also involved in the planning of that attempt.


( Source : AFP )







Loading

  • Kumar Bahukhandi

    Kumar has written mostly short stories and on human behavior that changed the day to day course of the people who engineered them. He says I am always myself... I just hate being someone else...It's so fake and unreal..."!!I have an everyday religion that works for me. Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line...... I am just a next door person A friend of friends, A Journalist ,who respects every person regardless of his/her stature (but yes, disregards cunning and selfish people).Learnt to get in touch with the silence within myself and knew that everything in life has a purpose. A very simple, Introvert person who believe in "Simple Living and High Thinking", trusts in Modesty. Very truthful to self basic instincts, work, hobbies and family. I Always Listen and Obey what my heart, my inner voice, my soul tells me. I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others.

    Related Posts

    Ukraine war, tension in the Middle East, AI, energy… Trump spoke to Putin on the phone, many topics were discussed

    Trump and Putin spoke on the phone (file photo) US President Donald Trump has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone. Trump gave information about this conversation on…

    Loading

    PM Modi attended the birthday of the US Vice President’s son Vivek, Judd and Usha Chilukuri thanked him for the princely gift

    PM Modi attended the birthday celebration of US Vice President’s son Vivek. PM Modi attended the birthday of US Vice President Vance’s son and also gave gifts to both Vance’s…

    Loading

    You Missed

    Farewell Celebration of of Computer Science, Commerce and Management Department in Pragati College , Choubey Colony , Raipur

    Farewell Celebration of  of Computer Science, Commerce and Management Department in Pragati College , Choubey Colony , Raipur

    Mahakumbh Live: JP Nadda took a dip in Sangam with CM Yogi, worshiped in Bade Hanuman Temple with family

    Mahakumbh Live: JP Nadda took a dip in Sangam with CM Yogi, worshiped in Bade Hanuman Temple with family

    Champions Trophy: Fear of India or something else…? PCB chairman does not trust the selectors, got the team reviewed twice

    Champions Trophy: Fear of India or something else…? PCB chairman does not trust the selectors, got the team reviewed twice

    Former RBI Guv Shaktikanta Das Appointed Principal Secretary to PM Modi

    Former RBI Guv Shaktikanta Das Appointed Principal Secretary to PM Modi

    Mars Petcare and Swiggy Instamart Expand Efforts to Provide Winter Shelters for Community Dogs

    Mars Petcare and Swiggy Instamart Expand Efforts to Provide Winter Shelters for Community Dogs

    SATYA MicroCapital Ltd. Re-appoints Former Executive Director, RBI – Ms. Surekha Marandi as Independent Director

    SATYA MicroCapital Ltd. Re-appoints Former Executive Director, RBI – Ms. Surekha Marandi as Independent Director