Canada-India Diplomatic Row Deepens Amid Sikh Activist Assassination Accusations

In a rapidly escalating diplomatic dispute, Canada and India have exchanged expulsions of senior diplomats following accusations linking India to the assassination of prominent Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. The deepening tension threatens bilateral relations and trade negotiations while also sparking concerns within Sikh diaspora communities globally.

• Diplomatic Fallout: Canada and India engage in tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats after Canada investigates “credible allegations” connecting India to the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
• Allegations and Denials: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserts that Canadian security agencies are actively pursuing these allegations, leading to the expulsion of an Indian diplomat in Canada. India retaliates by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat based in India.
• Activism and Tensions: Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader, supported the creation of Khalistan and led peaceful protests against human rights violations in India. The Khalistan movement is considered a national security threat by India.
• International Concern: The White House expresses deep concern over the allegations, emphasizing the need for Canada’s investigation and justice for the perpetrators.
• Trade Deal Implications: Relations between Canada and India become strained, impacting an ongoing trade deal. India’s commerce and trade minister mentions “serious concerns” affecting the deal.
• Historical Tensions: Previous tensions between Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including Trudeau’s perceived sympathy for Sikh activists, contribute to the diplomatic frostiness.
• Support for Khalistan: The Khalistan movement, advocating for a separate Sikh homeland, has garnered support among some Sikhs in the global diaspora, particularly in Canada, Britain, and Australia.

This diplomatic row underscores the complex interplay of international relations, activism, and historical tensions in a globalized world, with potential consequences for trade and bilateral relations between Canada and India.