‘A Trudeau problem’? How India’s ties with Canada fell apart over murder of separatist leader

Experts say neither country is expected to back down after strong language used in recent exchanges, tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats

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Police personnel walk past the entrance of the Canadian High Commission, in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:30pm, 16 Oct 2024

As relations between India and Canada are hit by fresh tensions following the deterioration of diplomatic ties, neither country is expected to back down from its stance any time soon.

On Monday, the friction between India and Canada deepened after New Delhi’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly rejected the “diplomatic communication” from Canada over a probe into the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June 2023.

Both nations have expelled six diplomats each in tit-for-tat actions amid the row.

Canadian police (RCMP) on October 14 released a statement on “violent criminal activity occurring in Canada with connections to agents of the Government of India”.

A photograph of late temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar (back right) is displayed outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

Canada is alleging it has evidence of Indian officials reporting on Khalistani activist immigrants and of a link between an organised crime group, called the Bishnoi gang, and the Indian government.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement citing an RCMP report also accused Indian officials of being involved in activities that he said threatened public safety in his country.