Canada Expels Indian Diplomats Over Links to Serious Criminal Activity
Canada has announced the expulsion of six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, following allegations that Indian government agents were linked to homicides, harassment, and other violent acts against Sikh separatists in the country.
In a statement, Mélanie Joly, the Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the decision to expel the diplomats was made with careful consideration and was based on clear and concrete evidence.
This move has sharply escalated diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, prompting India to retaliate by expelling six Canadian diplomats, including acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler.
The strained relations between the two countries deteriorated further last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed credible information suggesting the Indian government was involved in the assassination of prominent Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Trudeau characterized the Indian government’s actions as a serious misjudgment, asserting that supporting criminal activity against Canadians is unacceptable for any nation.
In response, the Indian government dismissed the accusations as “preposterous” and announced it would withdraw the officials expelled by Canada. They accused Canada of engaging in a deliberate strategy to undermine India for political gain, asserting that the claims against High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma were baseless and should be treated with disdain.
