Canada expels Indian diplomat head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), its foreign intelligence agency stationed in Ottawa, in response to alleged Indian involvement in the June 2022 assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
This exacerbated the already strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi.
Canada expels Indian Diplomat Details
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during an emergency parliamentary session, presented credible evidence linking Indian agents to Nijjar’s killing and called on the Indian government to cooperate in resolving the matter as a result Canada expels Indian diplomat.
Trudeau stated, “Canadian security agencies have actively pursued credible allegations over the past few weeks,” implicating agents of the Indian government in Nijjar’s death. He added that he personally raised the issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during recent G20 meetings.
He emphasized, “Any foreign government’s involvement in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty. Canada expressed these concerns directly to top intelligence and security officials of the Indian government at the G20, and I personally discussed them with Prime Minister Modi.”
“Canada, as a rule-of-law country, prioritizes the protection of our citizens and the defense of our sovereignty,” Trudeau affirmed.
Canada’s Foreign Minister, Melanie Jolie, confirmed that the Trudeau government had taken swift action, stating, “Today, we have expelled a senior Indian diplomat from Canada.”
Nijjar was fatally shot on June 18 in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver known for its significant Sikh community.
Canada has accused India of cooperating in the unresolved murder, and during a meeting with Canadian PM Trudeau, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong concerns about ongoing anti-India activities in Canada.
India has rejected Canada’s accusations, deeming them both absurd and motivated. In response to Canada’s assertion of Indian involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader, India’s foreign ministry urged Canada to pursue legal action against anti-Indian elements operating within its borders.
The ministry stated, “Allegations of the government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated.” Similar allegations made by Prime Minister Trudeau to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were flatly rejected.
Furthermore, the ministry urged Canada to swiftly and effectively address all anti-India elements operating from its territory. It pointed out that such baseless allegations served to divert attention away from Khalistani terrorists and extremists who have found refuge in Canada.
In response to this situation, Canada suspended negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India and Canada expels Indian Diplomat. Prime Minister Trudeau emphasized Canada’s commitment to defending freedom of expression, conscience, and peaceful protest while also taking action against hatred when addressing the media.
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