The Canadian government expelled six high-ranking Indian diplomats, including India’s High Commissioner, on Monday. The expulsions came as part of an escalating diplomatic crisis after Canada alleged that Indian agents were involved in the murder of a prominent Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil. The Indian government swiftly retaliated, expelling six Canadian diplomats, including Canada’s Acting High Commissioner to India, and withdrawing its top diplomat from Canada.
The deterioration of relations between these two Commonwealth nations, both important global players, marks a critical juncture in their diplomatic history. The tensions are not only a result of the Nijjar assassination case but also reflect broader concerns about Indian dissidents in Canada and a significant escalation of rhetoric between Ottawa and New Delhi.
The Nijjar Assassination and Its Aftermath
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader advocating for an independent Sikh state, Khalistan, was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, soon began investigating possible foreign involvement in the killing. In September 2023, Trudeau shocked the international community by publicly accusing Indian agents of being behind Nijjar’s assassination. His comments sparked an immediate diplomatic crisis, with India vehemently denying the allegations and calling them politically motivated.
Fast forward to Monday, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, claiming they were involved in efforts to undermine public safety in Canada, with direct links to Nijjar’s murder. Trudeau said his government had “clear and compelling evidence” that Indian agents engaged in clandestine operations in Canada, which included not only Nijjar’s murder but a broader campaign to intimidate and target South Asian dissidents living in the country.
“These activities pose a significant threat to public safety,” Trudeau stated in a press conference. He went on to detail a wide range of actions allegedly carried out by Indian agents in Canada, including coercion, illegal surveillance, and a string of violent incidents aimed at individuals in the South Asian community. “This is unacceptable,” the Prime Minister remarked, adding that India had made a grave error by violating Canadian sovereignty through criminal activities.
India’s Retaliation and Diplomatic Withdrawal
India swiftly responded to Canada’s expulsions by ordering the removal of six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi, including the Acting High Commissioner, and announced it was withdrawing its top diplomat from Ottawa. India justified its actions by expressing concerns over the safety of its diplomatic staff, citing a lack of confidence in the Canadian government’s ability to ensure their security.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said, “We have no faith in the current Canadian Government’s commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials.”
Furthermore, the Indian government criticized Trudeau’s administration, claiming that the expulsion of its diplomats was driven by political motives rather than legitimate concerns over public safety. India’s foreign ministry labeled Canada’s inquiry into the Nijjar assassination as a politically charged effort to malign the country and its government.
The Broader Campaign Against Indian Dissidents
Canada’s allegations go beyond the Nijjar assassination. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provided further insights into what they described as a “broad campaign” undertaken by Indian agents against Indian dissidents living in Canada. The RCMP noted that the campaign included homicides, extortion, and threats against members of the South Asian community, particularly those involved in separatist movements.
During a news conference, the RCMP explained that it had gathered concrete evidence linking six Indian diplomats to the Nijjar case and other related incidents. The police stated that the Indian government had allegedly used organized crime networks to target South Asian Canadians and interfere in democratic processes.
Despite Canada’s appeals for cooperation, India refused to waive the diplomatic immunity of its officials, leading Canada to expel them. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized that the government had taken this step after a thorough investigation and only as a last resort. “We’re not seeking a diplomatic confrontation with India,” she said. “But we will not sit quietly as agents of any country are linked to efforts to threaten, harass, or even kill Canadians.”
Diplomatic Relations in Crisis
The tit-for-tat expulsions mark a significant rupture in Canada-India relations, which had already been under strain since Trudeau’s public allegations in 2023. These developments raise serious questions about the future of diplomatic ties between the two countries, both of which have been working to enhance their strategic and economic relationships.
Fen Osler Hampson, a professor of international relations at Carleton University in Ottawa, noted that this dispute represents a major turning point. “We have gone from a rift to a major rupture in the relationship with India,” he said. “It is hard to see at this juncture that a return to normalcy will happen any time in the foreseeable future.”
The stakes are high for both countries. Canada has a significant Sikh population, the largest outside India, many of whom have voiced support for the Khalistan movement. Pro-Khalistan demonstrations in Canada have long been a point of contention with India, which views the movement as a national security threat. India has frequently called on Canada to crack down on Sikh separatists, accusing Trudeau’s government of turning a blind eye to their activities.
The Impact on Broader Global Relations
The diplomatic spat between Canada and India comes at a time when both countries are looking to deepen their global alliances. For Canada, the allegations against India complicate its desire to maintain a strong strategic relationship with New Delhi, particularly in the context of countering China’s rising influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
India, meanwhile, is increasingly positioning itself as a major player on the global stage, expanding its partnerships with Western nations like the U.S. and Europe. However, accusations of involvement in political assassinations abroad threaten to tarnish its reputation and strain its relationships with key allies.
In fact, the U.S. has also faced similar allegations against India. In 2023, U.S. authorities revealed that Indian agents were allegedly involved in a failed assassination attempt on another Sikh separatist leader in New York. The State Department confirmed that an Indian national had been indicted for working on behalf of an unnamed Indian government official to carry out the plot.
As these accusations continue to mount, both Canada and the U.S. are likely to re-evaluate their relationships with India, even as they seek to counter China’s influence in the region. U.S. officials have indicated that a high-level meeting between Indian and American authorities will take place this week in Washington to discuss India’s alleged involvement in the New York assassination plot.
A Widening Rift
The diplomatic conflict between Canada and India has evolved into a full-blown crisis, with little sign of resolution in sight. The expulsion of diplomats, accusations of assassination plots, and allegations of organized crime have all contributed to a deepening rift that could have long-term implications for both nations.
For now, Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to hold those responsible for Nijjar’s murder accountable, regardless of their diplomatic immunity. The Trudeau government has made it clear that it will not tolerate foreign interference on Canadian soil, a stance that could further escalate tensions with India in the months to come.
As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain how or when relations between the two nations might be restored. What is clear, however, is that the diplomatic row has set a new and troubling precedent for Canada-India relations, with far-reaching implications for global diplomacy and security.
