Canada expels Indian diplomat for killing Canadian Sikh citizen
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau announced that security agencies are investigating possible links between Indian government and murder of Nijjar
OTTAWA, Canada – Canada has expelled a senior Indian diplomat after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke of “credible allegations” linking New Delhi to the killing of a prominent Canadian Sikh activist.
Activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a proponent of a separate Sikh state of Khalistan, was murdered in British Columbia in June.
A few hours after this announcement, India also expelled a top Canadian diplomat in retaliation. However, it gave no reasons for this expulsion.
“The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India,” the ministry said.
Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that security agencies are investigating possible links between the Indian government and the murder of Nijjar.
He said his government had “credible allegations” linking killing with the “agents of the Government of India.”
Trudeau stressed the seriousness of a foreign government’s involvement in such incidents on Canadian soil.
He urged India to help in the investigation.
The Indian diplomat expelled from Ottawa is Pavan Kumar Rai, the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s foreign intelligence agency in Canada.
Canadian newspapers reported that there is credible intelligence linking India to Nijjar’s death.
They said Canadian police have identified three suspects and released a description of a possible getaway vehicle.
The Canadian Sikh community, which includes more than 770,000 people, expressed shock and outrage at Nijjar’s murder.
The White House expressed deep concern about the allegations, and Trudeau discussed the matter with U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Nijjar had previously been labeled a “terrorist” by Indian officials.
He is believed to have had ties to “Sikhs for Justice,” a group that advocates for an independent Sikh state in India.
Leading Canadian politicians across party lines expressed outrage at the incident.
Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, stressed the need for truth and transparency in the investigation.
The RCMP has identified a vehicle of interest in connection with the murder and is currently searching for three suspects.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stressed the importance of justice and the use of all available investigative resources.
Trudeau communicated his concerns directly to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent G-20 summit in New Delhi.
During that summit, relations between the two leaders appeared strained, continuing a trend of cool relations in recent years.
Trudeau did not even attend the official dinner hosted by the Indian president.
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