India-Canada Diplomatic Tensions: Allegations, Expulsions, and Historical Strains
India and Canada are facing a serious diplomatic crisis after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government agents of being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist, in Canada. India has dismissed these claims as “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
Diplomatic Expulsions
In response to the allegations, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, while India retaliated by expelling six Canadian diplomats, including high-ranking officials. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner, Mike Duheme, stated that they have evidence of criminal activities by Indian agents.
Historical Context
The strained relations between the two countries have a history. In 2018, a convicted Khalistani terrorist was photographed with Trudeau’s former wife during a visit to India. In 2023, Nijjar was killed in British Columbia, and a Hindu temple was vandalized in Canada.
Recent Developments
In October 2023, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India and halted visa services in several Indian cities. India resumed some visa services in Canada later that month. In 2024, Canadian police arrested individuals linked to Nijjar’s killing, and incidents of vandalism against Hindu-Canadian communities were reported.
Current Allegations
On October 15, 2024, Trudeau accused Indian agents of engaging in threatening activities in Canada. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly, supported the expulsion of Indian diplomats based on evidence from the RCMP.
Doubts Revealed
Diplomatic Tensions -: Diplomatic tensions occur when two countries have disagreements or conflicts, which can lead to strained relations and actions like expelling diplomats.
Expulsions -: Expulsions in this context mean that a country asks diplomats from another country to leave, usually as a response to a disagreement or conflict.
Khalistani -: Khalistani refers to a movement that seeks to create a separate country for Sikhs, called Khalistan, in the Punjab region of India.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar -: Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a person involved in the Khalistani movement, considered a terrorist by India, and his killing has led to the current tensions.
Justin Trudeau -: Justin Trudeau is the Prime Minister of Canada, which means he is the head of the Canadian government.
Vandalism -: Vandalism refers to the act of deliberately destroying or damaging property, which can cause tensions between communities or countries.