Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused India of making a “massive mistake” if it is found responsible for the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, on Canadian soil last year. Trudeau’s statement, made during an inquiry into foreign interference in Canada, followed accusations by Canadian officials that India had been involved in criminal activities such as extortion and murder targeting Indian dissidents within the country.
The escalating tensions have led to both Canada and India expelling each other’s top diplomats, worsening already strained relations. India has flatly denied these accusations, calling them “preposterous” and accusing Trudeau of catering to Canada’s substantial Sikh population for political advantage. On Wednesday, Indian officials responded forcefully, condemning Trudeau’s accusations.
Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s foreign ministry, issued a strong rebuke, stating, “Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats. The responsibility for the damage caused to India-Canada relations lies with Prime Minister Trudeau alone.” India’s rejection of the allegations underscores the country’s insistence that Trudeau’s accusations are baseless.
Trudeau’s comments came in response to India’s handling of the investigation into the murder of Nijjar, a proponent of the Khalistan movement, which advocates for a separate Sikh state. Nijjar was shot in June 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia. While Trudeau revealed that Canadian intelligence indicated Indian involvement, he noted that the information did not initially amount to hard evidence or proof. Four Indian nationals have since been charged in connection with Nijjar’s murder.
Reflecting on how Canada approached the situation, Trudeau stated that his government sought to manage the sensitive matter without causing further strain on relations with India, a significant trade partner. However, he claimed that Indian authorities rebuffed Canada’s requests for assistance in the probe, choosing instead to question Canada’s motives and criticize the country’s democratic processes. “It was clear that the Indian government’s approach was to criticise us and the integrity of our democracy,” Trudeau said.
In September, Trudeau made public the “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to Nijjar’s murder, marking a significant turning point in Canada-India relations. The situation has since drawn global attention as diplomatic fallout between the two countries continues to escalate.
This diplomatic crisis was compounded earlier in the week when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) publicly released details about multiple ongoing investigations into threats to pro-Khalistan figures in Canada. According to the RCMP, there were over a dozen credible and imminent threats to the lives of those associated with the Khalistan movement, prompting the rare disclosure. These investigations, according to the RCMP, revealed criminal activity allegedly orchestrated by Indian government agents. Trudeau echoed these findings, explaining that the force’s decision to go public was an effort to “disrupt the chain of activities that was resulting in drive-by shootings, home invasions, violent extortion and even murder” in Canada’s South Asian community.
Despite the serious allegations, India has maintained its innocence, firmly denying all claims and asserting that Canada has not provided any evidence to substantiate its accusations. In an effort to resolve the growing tensions, RCMP officials and national security advisors traveled to Singapore last weekend to meet with Indian officials. However, these talks were unsuccessful, with the RCMP stating that the meeting yielded no productive outcomes.
The diplomatic fallout has prompted reactions from Canada’s close allies. Both the UK and the US have called on India to cooperate with Canada’s legal process to resolve the matter. The British Foreign Office released a statement saying it is closely following the developments and has full confidence in Canada’s legal and judicial systems. “The Government of India’s co-operation with Canada’s legal process is the right next step,” the statement read. Similarly, the US has expressed concerns about India’s lack of cooperation. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, noted at a press briefing on Tuesday, “We have made clear that the allegations are extremely serious and they need to be taken seriously, and we want to see the government of India co-operate with Canada in its investigation. Obviously, they have not chosen that path.”
In contrast, India has shown no indication that it intends to cooperate with Canada’s legal proceedings. Officials in Delhi have maintained their stance that the accusations are politically motivated and part of Trudeau’s efforts to appeal to Canada’s large Sikh population, especially as the country heads toward future elections.
Meanwhile, Canada’s Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, has confirmed that Ottawa remains in close communication with the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, regarding the situation. The alliance has been engaged in discussions about the allegations, although the diplomatic and legal fallout is likely to be long-term and complex.
The escalating tensions between Canada and India represent a significant breakdown in relations between two nations that had previously enjoyed relatively stable ties. Both countries share a rich history of economic and cultural exchanges, with a significant Indian diaspora residing in Canada. However, the events surrounding Nijjar’s assassination and the subsequent accusations have thrown these relations into disarray. Trade agreements, partnerships, and diplomatic engagements have been severely affected, with experts predicting that the diplomatic fallout will likely have a lasting impact.
The Canadian government, under Trudeau’s leadership, has taken a strong stance against what it sees as a violation of its sovereignty and the international rule of law. The allegations against India have drawn widespread international attention, with Canada’s allies urging cooperation and transparency. However, India’s firm denial and refusal to engage with Canada’s legal process have only deepened the rift between the two nations, creating a diplomatic impasse that may take years to resolve. The situation has also cast a spotlight on broader issues of foreign interference and the risks faced by dissident communities abroad, particularly those advocating for political movements such as the Khalistan cause. As this diplomatic crisis continues to unfold, the future of Canada-India relations remains uncertain, with the potential for further repercussions on the global stage.