Explosive Diplomatic Fallout: Canada's Bold Move in Assassination Dispute with India Shakes Global Relations

Canada has pulled out 41 diplomats and their families from India as a response to New Delhi's warning of revoking their diplomatic immunity. This comes amidst a growing conflict over the assassination of a Sikh activist. The decision comes in the wake of a series of reciprocal expulsions between the two nations following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and influential Sikh figure, who was fatally shot by two unidentified individuals in British Columbia in June.

After Canadian leader Justin Trudeau made assertions about his intelligence services investigating "credible allegations" that the murder could be associated with Indian government agents, a division arose between the two nations. India strongly refuted any connection to Nijjar's death, dismissing the accusations as "absurd and biased."

Alongside reciprocal diplomatic expulsions, India has temporarily halted visa services for Canadian citizens citing "security threats" targeting their diplomats in Canada.

India recently announced its intention to request the departure of numerous Canadian diplomats from the country, aiming to achieve diplomatic "parity." In response to the removal of the 41 diplomats, Mélanie Joly, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, criticized India's recent actions as "unreasonable."

Ensuring the safety of Canadians and our diplomats is my utmost priority. Considering the potential consequences of India's actions on the well-being of our diplomats, we have successfully facilitated their secure departure from the country," Joly announced during a press conference held in Ottawa. Joly further confirmed that the diplomats and their families have already left India, while there are still 21 Canadian diplomats present in the country.

Joly stated that the Canadian government would not engage in retaliatory actions, as it would be a violation of international law. She emphasized that their only request to India is to abide by international law.

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Nijjar was an outspoken supporter of the creation of a separate Sikh homeland that would include parts of India and be known as Khalistan.

According to the World Sikh Organization of Canada, Nijjar frequently spearheaded nonviolent demonstrations in opposition to what the advocacy group referred to as the "ongoing infringement of human rights in India and in solidarity with Khalistan."

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi on September 9.

Evan Vucci/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Canada and India find themselves embroiled in an unprecedented diplomatic dispute. This contentious situation arose due to the outlawed Khalistan movement in India, which is deemed a significant threat to national security by the government. Various groups affiliated with this movement are classified as "terrorist organizations" under the Indias Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Nijjars name was included in the Home Ministrys UAPA terrorists list.

In 2020, the Indian National Investigation Agency alleged that Nijjar was involved in "attempting to radicalize Sikh communities globally to support the establishment of Khalistan." They further stated that he had been "inciting Sikhs to advocate for secession, protest against the Indian government, and engage in violent acts."

Nijjars supporters deny the terrorist designation, claiming it is an attempt to undermine Nijjar. His death has deeply shaken and angered the Sikh community in Canada, one of the largest Sikh populations outside of India, with over 770,000 members of the religious minority.