Tensions Escalate: India and Canada Expel Diplomats Amid Murder Accusations

India announced on Tuesday that it had expelled a Canadian diplomat with five days' notice to leave the country. This decision came just hours after Ottawa expelled the South Asian nation's top intelligence agent and accused it of playing a role in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader.

Escalating Diplomatic Row

The expulsion of diplomats is the latest development in an escalating row between India and Canada. Canada had previously stated that it was "actively pursuing credible allegations" linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia in June.

India's foreign ministry summoned the Canadian high commissioner (ambassador) in New Delhi to convey the expulsion decision, citing concerns about Canadian diplomats' interference in India's internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.

Canada's Accusations

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed grave concerns over any foreign government's involvement in the killing of a Canadian citizen, describing it as "an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty." The victim, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June. He had supported the idea of an independent Khalistani state and was designated as a "terrorist" by India in July 2020.

Trudeau stated that Canadian security agencies were actively investigating potential links between Indian government agents and Nijjar's death. He also urged the Indian government to cooperate with Canada in resolving the matter.

Expulsions and International Reactions

Canada, in response to the situation, expelled India's top intelligence agent in the country. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly described allegations of a foreign government's involvement in a Canadian citizen's murder on Canadian soil as "totally unacceptable."

The United States and Australia expressed "deep concern" over Canada's accusations, while Britain stated that it was in close contact with its Canadian partners regarding the "serious allegations."

Khalistan and Diplomatic Sensitivities

Khalistan is an independent Sikh state whose creation has been a long-standing demand among some Sikhs. A Sikh insurgency in India during the 1980s and early 1990s resulted in significant violence before being suppressed by security measures.

India has been wary of any revival of Khalistan-related activities, particularly among Sikhs in countries like Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States. Sikhs constitute a politically influential group in Canada, which has the largest Sikh population outside of the Indian state of Punjab.

Notably, tensions between the two nations increased when Canada permitted a parade float depicting the 1984 assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards, which was seen as glorifying violence by Sikh separatists.

Trade Treaty and Recent Developments

As a result of the diplomatic tensions, Canada paused talks on a proposed trade treaty with India, just months after both nations expressed their intent to finalize an initial deal within the year.

During the recent G20 summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not hold a two-way meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau, despite meeting with other world leaders. Additionally, incidents of pro-Khalistan graffiti vandalism in the Indian capital raised concerns.

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