India and Canada Expell Each Other's Diplomats Over Sikh Murder Row
India and Canada RecallExpell Each Other's TopDiplomats DiplomatsOver Sikh Murder Row
The Facts
India and Canada have each expelled six top diplomats from each other's countries over allegations that Indian officials were linked to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
Nijjar, who became a Canadian citizen in 2015 and sought an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan, was killed in June 2023 at a Sikh temple in Vancouver, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging that Indian intelligence services were involved.
The Spin
While India may brush this off as a political stunt, the simple truth is that Canadian authorities are simply following the evidence of a murder investigation. Not only were these diplomats involved in the murder of Mr. Nijjar, but Indian officials, stretching all the way to the top of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, are linked to other murders on Canadian soil. The least Canada can do for the victims is expell these perpetrators from the country.
This is absolutely a political stunt, and the reason is two-fold. Firstly, Trudeau and his government has yet to present any of the so-called 'evidence' linking the Indian government to these murders. More importantly, however, is that Trudeau's allegations are solely based on his desire to shore up support from Sikh voters whom he relies on to stay in power. Trudueau's cabinet is full of pro-Sikh separatists, which clearly shows his bias in this matter.
