India-Canada Tensions: Tensions in relations between India and Canada are at their peak after India was accused of the murder of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Parliament on Tuesday that Indian agents may have a hand in the murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. After accusing India, Canada ordered a top Indian diplomat present in Ottawa to leave the country.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar went to Canada from Punjab in 1996. He started his career there as a plumber, but soon he got involved in Khalistani activities. On June 18, Nijjar was shot dead outside a Gurudwara in the city of Surrey in the Canadian state of British Columbia. Let us know what has happened in the dispute between India and Canada since Tuesday.
- The dispute between India and Canada started like this when Justin Trudeau addressed the Parliament on Tuesday. During this, Trudeau said that India may have played a role in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He said that Canadian agencies are firmly aware that the Indian government may be behind the murder of Nijjar. After this he asked the top Indian diplomat to leave Canada. India also responded to Canada’s allegations. The Indian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that we completely reject the claims made by the Canadian Prime Minister in Parliament. Blaming India for the violence in Canada seems absurd and politically motivated. India retaliated by ordering a top Canadian diplomat to leave the country within 5 days. America’s statement also came out amid the increasing tension between India and Canada. America said it is concerned about Canada’s allegations. US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said, ‘America is extremely concerned about the allegations made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It is now necessary that Canada’s investigation be completed and the accused be caught.’
- At the same time, Britain also expressed its views on this controversy. Britain said that the ongoing trade talks between New Delhi and London are going to continue. A British government spokesperson said, ‘We are maintaining close contact with our Canadian allies regarding these allegations. It would be inappropriate to comment further while the investigation is being conducted by Canadian authorities.’
- Australia said it was concerned about the allegations and stressed that the matter was still under investigation. Australian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wong said that we are closely connected with our partners regarding whatever changes are taking place in this entire matter. We have conveyed our concerns to India at a senior level.
- Comments also came from Pakistan on the India-Canada dispute. Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto said that Canada has accused India. That a Canadian Sikh citizen has been murdered in his place. This is a big allegation. He said that India has been exposed before the world. For how long will the international community and our friends in the West ignore these actions of India.
- However, by the evening Justin Trudeau realized his mistake. He said that the intention behind raising the suspicion that Indian agents were involved in Nijjar’s murder was not to provoke India. Canada wants India to handle this matter properly. He said that India needs to show seriousness in this matter. We do not want to provoke anyone or drag the matter.
- Canada has also issued an advisory for its citizens coming to India. It has been said that due to security situation, avoid traveling to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. There is a threat of terrorism, extremism, civil unrest and kidnapping.