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.India and Canada have expelled each other's six top diplomats 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.Nijjar, who became a Canadian citizen in 2015 and sought an independent homeland — known as Khalistan — for Sikhs in India, was killed in June 2023 at a Sikh temple in Vancouver.
Among those expelled from Canada was the Indian High Commissioner, or ambassador, to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, who the Canadian government has deemed a "person of interest" in the murder investigation.Canadian police accused the Indian government of involvement in "homicides, extortion and violent acts" and targeting supporters of the pro-Khalistan movement.
While India may brush this off as a political stunt, the simple truth is that Canadian authorities are simply following the clear and compelling 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 othermultiple murders on Canadian soil. The least Canada can do for the victims is expellexpel these perpetrators from the country.
This is absolutely a politicalpolitically stunt,motivated and the reason is two-foldact. Firstly, Trudeau and his government hashave 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. TrudueauTrudeau's cabinet is full of pro-Sikh separatists, which clearly shows his bias in this matter.