Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has publicly criticized India for what he termed a “massive mistake” regarding the alleged involvement in the death of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil last year. This statement comes in the wake of accusations from Canadian officials that India has engaged in serious crimes, including homicides and extortion targeting Indian dissidents in Canada.
In response to these accusations, both Canada and India have expelled senior diplomats, heightening already strained diplomatic relations. India has firmly dismissed the allegations as “preposterous,” accusing Trudeau of exploiting the situation for political gain among Canada’s Sikh community.
During a recent public inquiry focused on foreign interference in Canadian politics, Trudeau expressed his discontent with India’s handling of the investigation into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. He revealed that he was briefed on the murder and had received intelligence suggesting India’s involvement. Trudeau emphasized the importance of addressing any infringement on Canada’s sovereignty and adherence to international law.
Nijjar, a vocal advocate for the Khalistan movement advocating for a separate Sikh homeland, was shot and killed in Surrey, British Columbia. Although intelligence gathered at the time did not constitute hard evidence, Trudeau indicated that law enforcement has since charged four Indian nationals in connection with his death.
Trudeau remarked that he initially aimed to address the issue cautiously to avoid jeopardizing relations with a critical trade partner. However, he stated that India’s officials rebuffed requests for cooperation in the investigation. He noted, “It was clear that the Indian government’s approach was to criticize us and the integrity of our democracy.”
Following the allegations made by Canada, which were announced in September, Trudeau reiterated that there are “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the murder. Additional details regarding related allegations were disclosed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which cited an “urgent threat to public safety” as a reason for sharing information about ongoing investigations.
The RCMP reported that there have been more than a dozen credible and imminent threats to the lives of individuals associated with the pro-Khalistan movement. Investigations have purportedly uncovered criminal activities linked to Indian government agents. Trudeau stated that the police aim to interrupt the chain of violent actions, including drive-by shootings and extortion, impacting the South Asian community in Canada.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, India has vehemently rejected them and claims that Canada has failed to provide sufficient evidence. Recently, Canada’s security officials attempted to engage with their Indian counterparts in Singapore, but reported that the meeting did not yield productive outcomes.
In light of these developments, both the UK and US have urged India to collaborate with Canada in addressing the allegations. A statement from the British Foreign Office indicated ongoing communication with Ottawa regarding the serious implications of investigations in Canada, affirming confidence in Canada’s judicial system. Likewise, the US State Department underscored the need for India to cooperate with Canadian authorities in their investigation, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations.
Canada’s Foreign Minister has confirmed that the government is maintaining close communication with the Five Eyes intelligence alliance on this significant matter.
