Canada and India’s relationship has hit rock bottom as tensions rise over last year’s assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canada-based Sikh leader who was dubbed a terrorist by India, was assassinated in 2023 as he was leaving Guru Nanak Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Canada and India have each expelled each other’s top diplomats as a result of the escalating tensions over Nijjar’s death, marking an all-time low in their relations.
The expulsions of each other’s diplomats came after Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that police were investigating the Indian government’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Nijjar in 2023. Canadian authorities took the issue even further by making accusations that Indian agents were involved in “homicides, extortion, and violent acts.”
Delhi called the allegations “preposterous,” rejecting them firmly. India expelled five Canadian diplomats and Canada’s High Commissioner, asking them to leave by Sunday. Canada acted similarly, expelling India’s High Commissioner along with other people identified as persons of interest.
Prime Minister Trudeau said, “We will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign government threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil.” Trudeau added, “India has made a monumental mistake.”
Canada and India’s Diplomatic Crash
The two countries have had tensions throughout the years, but they have always remained cordial until now. The allegations Canada has made about India’s involvement in the assassination of Nijjar have created a rift between the two nations that will be hard to repair.
Praveen Donthi, senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, said, “India-Canada bilateral relations, which have been on a downslide since last year, will take a further hit, which will take a long time to repair.”
Trudeau said in 2023 that there were credible allegations of India’s involvement in the murder of Nijjar, and his recent words add to the souring sentiment Canada has towards India as a result of Nijjar’s assassination.
Mélanie Joly, Canadian Foreign Minister, said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected “ample, clear and concrete evidence which identified six individuals as persons of interest in the Nijjar case.”
Joly said India was asked to waive diplomatic immunity for the persons of interest and participate in the investigation, but they refused. Mike Duhene, an officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said they have evidence of India’s alleged involvement in other crimes in the country.
“The team has learned a significant amount of information about the breadth and depth of criminal activity orchestrated by agents of the government of India, and consequential threats to the safety and security of Canadians and individuals living in Canada,” said Duhene.
