Canada and India Expel Diplomats Amid Uncovered Violence Campaign

Photo : Reuters

India has firmly rejected Canada’s accusations that Indian government agents were involved in activities that threaten public safety. This diplomatic rift escalated after Canada expelled six Indian diplomats following a federal police investigation. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claimed to have uncovered “clear and compelling evidence” that Indian agents engaged in a “campaign of violence” targeting dissidents within Canada.

During a press conference, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed that the RCMP had found evidence of clandestine information-gathering techniques, coercive behavior, and involvement in over a dozen violent acts, including murder. He stressed that the evidence leaves no room for doubt and pointed to the necessity of disrupting what he described as criminal activities that threaten public safety.

In response to Canada’s expulsion of its diplomats, India swiftly announced the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner, giving them until Saturday to leave the country. India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned Canada’s actions as baseless, rejecting the claims as politically motivated and accusing Canada of using these allegations for its own political gain.

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The diplomatic fallout follows a period of already strained relations between the two nations. Tensions first flared in September 2023 when Trudeau publicly stated that Canada had credible evidence linking Indian agents to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader advocating for a Khalistani state, in British Columbia. Nijjar, labeled a terrorist by India in 2020, was a vocal supporter of a Sikh homeland, and his death has remained a highly contentious issue.

India has consistently denied involvement in Nijjar's killing, demanding that Canada provide concrete evidence to substantiate its claims. Despite repeated requests, India maintains that no proof has been offered. On Monday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Canada’s charge d’affaires to voice its disapproval, labeling the accusations as “completely unacceptable” and expressing concerns over the safety of its diplomats.

Adding to the complexity, RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme disclosed that Canadian law enforcement had uncovered significant information about the extent of criminal activities orchestrated by Indian agents, which posed severe threats to public safety. Duheme’s revelations highlighted the scope of the investigation and the dangers these activities represent to Canadians and individuals residing in the country.

Vina Nadjibulla, Research Director at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, noted that the reciprocal expulsion of diplomats marked a serious escalation in the long-standing tensions between India and Canada. Nadjibulla emphasized that the outcome of this diplomatic standoff would likely be influenced by the responses of Canada’s key allies, including the United States and other members of the G7 bloc.

The Indian government, however, has remained steadfast in its rejection of the accusations, accusing Canada of harboring violent extremists and terrorists who target Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada. India has long criticized Canada for failing to clamp down on what it terms "Sikh extremism" and anti-India activism within its borders, while Ottawa has consistently rejected the notion that it provides a safe haven for extremists.

This recent diplomatic fallout is only the latest in a series of events testing the relationship between India and its Western partners. In October 2023, Canada pulled out more than 40 diplomats from India after New Delhi demanded a reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence following the Nijjar allegations. Around the same time, the U.S. government accused Indian agents of orchestrating an assassination attempt on another Sikh separatist leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in New York. The U.S. Department of Justice later charged Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, for coordinating the foiled assassination plot with an Indian government employee.

Despite these growing tensions, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau has expressed hope that India will eventually cooperate in resolving this serious matter. The future of India-Canada relations now largely depends on how both governments manage this high-stakes situation, as it continues to test their diplomatic resilience. Keep pushing forward! Diplomacy can be complex, but these developments show the determination on both sides to navigate tough challenges.

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