India has taken action against Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked Indian government agents to the death of a Sikh leader in Vancouver. The Ministry of External Affairs in India has announced that a senior Canadian diplomat has been asked to leave the country within the next five days. This decision comes in response to the growing concern over Canadian diplomats interfering in Indian internal matters.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly had earlier announced that Canada would be expelling Pavan Kumar Rai, who is listed as a diplomatic agent heading an Indian intelligence agency based in Ottawa. Trudeau addressed the House of Commons, stating that Canadian security agencies have been actively investigating credible allegations of potential involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of a Canadian citizen.
The death in question is that of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in the parking lot of his gurdwara in Surrey, B.C. on June 18. While Sikh community leaders believed that the Indian government was involved, local police had not found any evidence of foreign interference. India has denied any involvement in Nijjar’s death, calling the allegations “absurd and motivated.”
The Indian government has also accused Canada of providing shelter to Khalistani terrorists and extremists who pose a threat to India’s sovereignty. India had issued an arrest warrant against Nijjar due to his advocacy for a separate Sikh state in Punjab, which is known as Khalistan. While India argues that these activists undermine national security, Canada maintains that its citizens have freedom of speech as long as it does not incite violence.
The police in British Columbia have acknowledged Trudeau’s comments but are not currently able to discuss the specifics of their investigation. This incident has further strained relations between India and Canada, with both countries now taking diplomatic actions in response to the allegations.
Sources:
– The Canadian Press
