Wed Oct 16 00:48:50 UTC 2024: ## Canada Expels Indian Diplomats Amidst Assassination Allegations

**OTTAWA, ONTARIO** – In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, Canada has expelled India’s top diplomat and five other officials, accusing them of involvement in the assassination of a Sikh activist and other violent crimes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the expelled diplomats were “persons of interest” in the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader in Canada, and that they were also involved in a wider campaign of intimidation against Canadian citizens.

Trudeau alleged that Indian diplomats were collecting information on Canadians and sharing it with organized crime groups, leading to attacks on individuals. He called India’s actions a “monumental mistake.”

India has vehemently denied the accusations, calling them “absurd.” In retaliation, India has expelled Canada’s acting high commissioner and five other diplomats, demanding their departure by Saturday.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) had gathered “ample, clear and concrete evidence” linking the six individuals to the Nijjar case. She also alleged that India refused to waive diplomatic immunity and cooperate with the investigation.

The RCMP has also uncovered evidence connecting Indian government agents to other homicides and violent acts in Canada, including threats against members of the Sikh community, specifically those associated with the Khalistan movement, which seeks an independent Sikh homeland.

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot and killed in his truck in Surrey, British Columbia. Four Indian nationals in Canada have been charged with his murder. India had previously designated Nijjar a terrorist in 2020 and was seeking his arrest.

The Khalistan movement, though banned in India, enjoys support among the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, where Sikhs comprise nearly 2% of the population. India has been urging Canada to take action against Khalistan supporters, but these recent events have further strained relations between the two countries.

The U.S. State Department has also been investigating a plot to assassinate another Sikh separatist leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who lives in New York. An Indian inquiry committee investigating the case will travel to Washington on Tuesday to discuss the investigation.

This latest development marks a significant deterioration in relations between Canada and India, raising concerns about the safety of Canadian citizens and the potential for further violence. The international community is watching closely as both countries engage in diplomatic maneuvering amid these serious allegations.

Read More