Canada expelled six Indian diplomats and consular officials, the foreign ministry announced on Monday. The move ties to an investigation into the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia last year. Earlier, India had ordered the expulsion of six top Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner, and had withdrawn its envoy from Canada, contradicting Canada’s claim of expelling the envoy. Relations between the nations soured after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were linked to the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police reported having substantial information on criminal activities orchestrated by Indian government agents targeting South Asians in Canada. On 18 June 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a significant Sikh population. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, advocated for an independent Sikh homeland in India.
On 1 September 2023, a Canadian trade official stated that Canada had paused trade treaty talks with India, a surprising decision following both countries’ plans to finalise an initial pact in 2023. On 10 September 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong concerns about Sikh separatist protests in Canada to Prime Minister Trudeau during a G20 summit in New Delhi.
Big news! Canada has expelled six Indian diplomats including the Indian High Commissioner. Canadian government has found important evidence proving involvement of these officials in planning and murders of Sikh leaders on Canadian soil. pic.twitter.com/1kDSGIGOoE
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) October 14, 2024
Trudeau informed parliament on 18 September 2023 that Canada was “actively pursuing credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to Nijjar’s murder. India dismissed Trudeau’s claims as “absurd” the next day. Both countries expelled a diplomat each, with Canada expelling India’s top intelligence officer and India doing the same to his Canadian counterpart on 19 September 2023.
On 22 September 2023, India suspended new visa issuances for Canadians and asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in India. Visas resumed two months later. On 19 October 2023, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that Canada had withdrawn 41 diplomats from India amid the dispute over Nijjar’s murder.
On 29 October 2023, tens of thousands of Sikhs gathered in Surrey, British Columbia, at the gurdwara where Nijjar was killed, to vote in an unofficial referendum on creating an independent Sikh state. On 21 November 2023, India’s anti-terror agency filed a case against Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who had warned Air India passengers in video messages that their lives were at risk.
On 22 November 2023, a senior Biden administration official revealed that U.S. authorities had thwarted a plot to kill Pannun in the United States and had warned India over concerns about its government’s involvement. On 5 February 2024, India’s High Commissioner told Canada’s Globe and Mail that India would not provide information to Canadian investigators regarding Nijjar’s murder until Canada shared evidence.
On 30 April 2024, the White House described as serious a report by the Washington Post that an Indian intelligence officer was directly involved in Nijjar’s killing and the foiled plot to kill Pannun in the U.S. India’s foreign ministry called the report “unwarranted and unsubstantiated.” On 3 May 2024, Canadian police charged three individuals linked to Nijjar’s murder, according to a source familiar with the matter.
On 27 August 2024, Canadian police warned Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an aide to Nijjar, of an increased threat to his life, as reported by a prominent Sikh separatist.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Hindu reports on the escalating India-Canada diplomatic row, with India expelling six Canadian diplomats and recalling its High Commissioner, amid allegations over Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did Canada expel six Indian diplomats?
Canada expelled six Indian diplomats due to an investigation into the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia.
What did India do in response to Canada’s actions?
India expelled six top Canadian diplomats and withdrew its envoy from Canada.
Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist leader advocating for an independent Sikh homeland in India.
What significant event occurred on 19 October 2023?
Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India amid the dispute over Nijjar’s murder.
What did the White House say about the report by the Washington Post on 30 April 2024?
The White House described the report as serious, alleging an Indian intelligence officer’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing.