India has decided to withdraw its High Commissioner and other diplomats from Canada. This move comes in response to allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, linking Indian agents to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan separatist.
“We have no faith in the current Canadian government’s commitment to ensure their security,” a press release stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). “Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials.”
The MEA condemned the allegations as “baseless” and “politically motivated.” They emphasized that the safety of Indian diplomats could not be guaranteed in the current climate of extremism and violence in Canada.
“The Canadian Charge d’Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East) this evening,” the MEA’s statement continued. “He was informed that the baseless targeting of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable.”
In response, Canada’s Charge d’Affaires, Stewart Wheeler, reiterated Canada’s stance. “Canada has provided credible, irrefutable evidence of ties between agents of the Government of India and the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil,” Wheeler said. “It is in the interest of both our countries and the people of our countries to get to the bottom of this. Canada stands ready to cooperate with India.”
The diplomatic fallout began in September 2023, when Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in Nijjar’s assassination. Since then, relations between the two countries have deteriorated, with both sides exchanging sharp rebukes, reported India Today..
“Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side,” the MEA asserted. “This leaves little doubt that there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains on the pretext of an investigation.”
As the situation unfolds, both nations are bracing for further diplomatic actions. The MEA concluded its statement by reserving the right to take additional steps in response to what it described as “the Trudeau Government’s support for extremism, violence, and separatism against India.”
This development marks a new low in India-Canada relations, with significant implications for future diplomatic and bilateral ties.
Leave a Reply