Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, on Monday, linking them to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and alleging a broader campaign targeting Indian dissidents within Canada.
This marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two Commonwealth nations, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement last year that Canadian authorities had evidence connecting Indian agents to Nijjar’s assassination on Canadian soil.
Trudeau said at a recent press conference that Canada now possesses “clear and compelling evidence that agents of the Indian government have engaged in activities that pose a significant threat to public safety.”
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police supported this claim, detailing a broader effort by India’s government against Indian dissidents, including instances of homicide, extortion, and interference with democratic processes.
Canadian police also accused Indian agents of working with Bishnoi’s criminal network to execute targeted killings, specifically targeting pro-Khalistani individuals in Canada. Bishnoi, who has been in prison since 2014, is said to manage a significant criminal empire in India and was recently linked to the shooting of a politician in Mumbai.
In response, India dismissed the accusations as “ludicrous,” attributing them to a political agenda driven by Prime Minister Trudeau.
