In a rapidly escalating diplomatic standoff, India’s Foreign Ministry has issued a stern rejection of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation of India’s involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader in British Columbia. Nijjar, a vocal advocate for an independent Sikh homeland in India, was fatally shot outside his Surrey home on June 15, sparking international tensions.
Trudeau’s statement to the House of Commons on Monday alleged that Canadian national security authorities had acquired “credible” intelligence linking “agents of the government of India” to Nijjar’s murder. He characterized the act as “state-sponsored terrorism” that violates Canada’s sovereignty and security.
“We condemn this heinous crime in the strongest possible terms and demand that India cooperate fully with our investigation and bring those responsible to justice,” Trudeau declared during a press conference in Ottawa.
Canada has promptly and firmly addressed the allegations, taking decisive action by summoning the Indian ambassador and filing an official complaint. They have indicated the possibility of diplomatic, trade, and sanctions actions against India as a response to these accusations.
Likewise, the Canadian High Commissioner to India was summoned today and officially notified about the Government of India’s decision to expel a senior Canadian diplomat currently serving in India. The diplomat in question has been instructed to depart from India within the upcoming five days.
However, India’s Foreign Ministry has categorically denied any involvement, stating that the allegations of India’s role in the violence are “absurd and motivated.” They argue that such accusations divert attention from Khalistani terrorists and extremists taking refuge in Canada, posing a threat to India’s sovereignty.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation as tensions between Canada and India continue to escalate, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this diplomatic crisis. Canada’s Sikh community, numbering around half a million people, has expressed outrage over Nijjar’s murder, demanding justice and rejecting allegations of terrorism.
This standoff threatens to strain the relationship between these two nations, with both sides reiterating their commitment to their respective values, interests, sovereignty, and security. The world watches anxiously as this diplomatic crisis unfolds.
India’s Foreign Ministry released a statement early Tuesday and rejected Trudeau’s assertion of a potential link between the Indian government and the killing of Nijjar.
The statement came after a sharp escalation in tensions between Canada and India, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation of India’s involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader in British Columbia. Nijjar, known for his advocacy of an independent Sikh homeland in India, was fatally shot outside his Surrey home on June 15. The accusations have led to a diplomatic standoff, with both nations expelling each other’s diplomats.
India’s Foreign Ministry said that the allegations of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are “absurd and motivated”. It also said that such allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The statement also expressed concern over the “inaction” of the Canadian government on this matter and the “sympathy” shown by some Canadian political figures to such elements. It urged Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.
“We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law. Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern. That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern,” the statement read.
“We reject any attempts to connect Government of India to such developments. We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil,” it added.
The statement concluded by reaffirming India’s respect for Canada as a partner and ally, but also expecting the same respect from Canada for India’s values, interests, sovereignty, and security.
Trudeau’s statement to the House of Commons on Monday revealed that Canadian national security authorities had obtained “credible” intelligence pointing to “agents of the government of India” being responsible for Nijjar’s murder. He described it as a “shocking and unacceptable act of state-sponsored terrorism” that violates Canada’s sovereignty and security.
“We condemn this heinous crime in the strongest possible terms and demand that India cooperate fully with our investigation and bring those responsible to justice,” Trudeau declared at a press conference in Ottawa.
Canada swiftly summoned India’s ambassador and filed a formal protest regarding the incident. Trudeau also hinted at reviewing diplomatic and trade relations with India and considering sanctions and other measures to hold the country accountable.
Canada is not trying to provoke India by suggesting it was linked to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader, but wants New Delhi to address the issue properly, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday, reported the Reuters news agency.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, led the World Sikh Organization of Canada, which advocates for Sikh rights globally. He was a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement, aiming to establish an independent Sikh state in India’s Punjab region. India has long accused Nijjar and other Sikh activists in Canada of engaging in terrorist activities and supporting violent separatism. In 2018, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs labeled Nijjar as one of the most wanted terrorists, accusing him of plotting attacks on Indian targets.
However, Nijjar’s family and friends vehemently denied these allegations, portraying him as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen who exercised his right to free speech. They accused India of orchestrating a smear campaign against Nijjar and other Sikh activists in Canada.
The murder of Nijjar has ignited anger and sorrow within Canada’s Sikh community, which numbers around half a million people. Many Sikhs have expressed solidarity with Nijjar’s family and are demanding justice for his death.
The international community watches closely as tensions continue to escalate between the two countries, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this diplomatic crisis.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
