India Condemns Canada’s Investigation Over Sikh Leader’s Murder
- Tensions escalated between India and Canada after allegations of Indian involvement in the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- India's foreign ministry rejected the claims, labeling them as politically motivated and reserving the right to respond.
- The ongoing dispute has severely strained diplomatic relations, although there were recent signs of thawing with the resumption of visa processing.
In October 2023, tensions escalated between India and Canada after allegations surfaced regarding Indian involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, in British Columbia. Nijjar was shot outside a Sikh temple in June 2023, and his death was labeled a targeted attack by Canadian authorities. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that intelligence suggested Indian government involvement, which India vehemently denied, calling the allegations unfounded and politically motivated. The diplomatic fallout led to India requesting the withdrawal of numerous Canadian diplomats and suspending visa services. In response to Canada's recent designation of Indian diplomats as 'persons of interest' in the investigation, India expressed outrage and reserved the right to take further action. The Indian government defended its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, against what it termed ludicrous accusations. The situation has strained relations between the two nations, although there were signs of a thaw when India resumed visa processing in October 2023. The ongoing dispute highlights the complexities of international relations, particularly concerning issues of sovereignty and allegations of state-sponsored actions abroad.