Canada-India, Conflict Escalates... Six Diplomats Each Expelled in Retaliation

Last Year’s Sikh Separatist Assassination in Canada
Trudeau Points to Indian Government Agents Behind the Killing

The conflict between Canada and India has deepened as both countries expelled each other's diplomats following the assassination of a Sikh separatist group leader last year.

On the 14th (local time), the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had issued expulsion notices to six Indian officials, including the High Commissioner and consulate staff stationed in Canada. The officials are accused of gathering information on Sikh separatists and engaging in violent acts. The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that it requested the waiver of diplomatic immunity for these officials in connection with the investigation into the Sikh separatist assassination case, but the Indian government refused, leading to the expulsion decision.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

India immediately retaliated. The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "We cannot guarantee the safety of Canadian diplomats," and announced the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stuart Ross Wheeler.

The diplomatic conflict between the two countries began last June when Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist group leader, was shot and killed by masked assailants in British Columbia, Canada. According to CNN, Sikhism is a minority religion primarily residing in the Punjab region of India, and Canada has the largest Sikh community outside of India. India considers some Sikhs who have emigrated to Canada and are involved in separatist movements such as Punjab independence as terrorists.

At the time, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau identified Indian government agents as behind Nijjar's assassination and expelled one Indian diplomat. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have charged four Indians residing in Canada with Nijjar's murder. India, which has denied all allegations, also retaliated by expelling Canadian diplomats stationed in India and temporarily suspending visa issuance for Canadians.

At a press conference that day, Prime Minister Trudeau stated, "We have clear and compelling evidence that Indian government agents continue to engage in activities that pose a serious threat to the safety of the Canadian public," adding, "Murder, robbery, and other violent acts are absolutely unacceptable in any democracy that supports the rule of law."

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said, "The investigation revealed that Indian diplomats and consulate staff in Canada have been involved, either directly or through intermediaries, in gathering information on behalf of the Indian government using their official positions," adding, "The information collected in this way is used to target members of the South Asian community." India countered by saying, "Canadian investigative authorities did not share evidence" and "We do not trust their commitment to ensuring our safety."