10 things that happened in 24 hours since Trudeau accused India of getting Nijjar killed in Canada
The India-Canada standoff started on June 18, 2023, when Nijjar was gunned down outside a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
India-Canada ties are on the brink, and there have been some major developments since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canadian security agencies are investigating potential links between India and the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India has firmly denied Trudeau's allegations, describing them as "absurd and motivated."
It has been over 24 hours of back and forth between the two nations, but the issue is far from being resolved.
Trudeau's accusations
The controversy began when Trudeau, speaking in the Canadian House of Commons, mentioned that Canadian security agencies were examining potential ties between India and the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18.
Trudeau urged the Indian government to "cooperate with Canada to get to the bottom of this matter" and to reiterate its position on "extra-judicial operations" in another country.
Since this standoff started, there have been some major developments. We will explain these developments in 10 points:
1. Canada expels Indian diplomat: After Trudeau's accusations, Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the head of Indian intelligence in Canada has been expelled.
"If proven true, this would be a great violation of our sovereignty and of the most basic rule of how countries deal with each other," Joly said. "As a consequence, we have expelled a top Indian diplomat," Joly said, as quoted by AP.
2. India's response: In response to Trudeau's allegations, India's Ministry of External Affairs stated, "We've examined and dismissed the claims made by the Canadian Prime Minister and their Foreign Minister. Accusations of India's involvement in violence in Canada have no basis and seem driven by ulterior motives."
The central government said, "Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected." The MEA statement further said, "We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law."
3. India expels Canadian diplomat: The Indian government on Tuesday (September 19) expelled a top Canadian diplomat, hours after Canada expelled an Indian diplomat following Trudeau's allegations.
The government summoned the High Commissioner of Canada and informed about its decision to expel the senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days.
4. US reaction on the issue: The White House has expressed 'deep concern' over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement, claiming India's role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a statement, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said, "We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canada's investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice."
5. Britain to continue trade talks: Britain said it will continue trade talks with India despite allegations from Canada that the Indian government was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader on its soil, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
"When we have concerns about countries we are negotiating trade deals with, we will raise them directly with the government concerned. But with regards to the current negotiations with India, these are negotiations about a trade deal, and we're not looking to conflate them with other issues," the British spokesperson said.
6. Australia on India-Canada standoff: Australia said that it is deeply concerned by allegations raised by Canada linking Indian government agents to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing in British Columbia province.
In an official statement, spokesperson for foreign minister Penny Wong said, "Australia is deeply concerned by these allegations and notes ongoing investigations into this matter. We are closely engaged with partners on developments. We have conveyed our concerns at senior levels to India."
7. Canada's advisory for citizens in India: The Canadian government on Tuesday issued an advisory for its citizens living in India in view of the ongoing standoff between the two nations.
The advisory, published on the website of the Government of Canada, urged Canadian nationals living in India to observe a high degree of caution. "Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country," the advisory read.
"There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media, and follow the instructions of local authorities," it added.
8. Canada not looking to 'provoke' India, says Trudeau: Trudeau on Tuesday said he was not looking to "provoke" India or "escalate" tensions, but urged New Delhi to take the killing of a Sikh separatist leader with the "utmost seriousness."
"We are not looking to provoke or escalate. We want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes," he told reporters.
9. SGPC says issue will affect Sikhs across the world: Amid souring relations between India and Canada, The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Tuesday said the matter will affect Sikhs across the world.
The apex religious body of Sikhs said although the Indian government trashed the Canadian government's accusations and also expelled a Canadian diplomat, this matter is "very serious."
SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami appealed to the Centre to resolve the issues of Sikhs in India and move towards an appropriate and meaningful solution by understanding the problems and feelings of the Sikh community living abroad, reported PTI.
10. Canada's Opposition says 'Trudeau needs to come clean': Canada's Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre, on Wednesday (September 20) said that Trudeau needs to provide all the facts on his allegations.
"I think the PM needs to come clean with all the facts, we need to know all the evidence possible so that Canadians can make judgment on that," he said while speaking to journalists.
"The PM has not provided any facts, he provided a statement and I want to just emphasize that he didn't tell me more in private than he told Canadians in public, so we want to see more information," he said."