Allegations Surrounding Activist's Murder Strain Bilateral Relations

NEW-DELHI: In a sudden escalation of diplomatic tensions, India and Canada have expelled each other's ambassadors, heightening the discourse over allegations of India's possible involvement in the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

On Tuesday, India swiftly responded to Canada's expulsion of an Indian official by expelling the Canadian ambassador. The High Commissioner of Canada in India was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to convey this decision, underlining India's growing concerns regarding alleged interference by Canadian ambassadors in India's internal matters and their alleged engagement in anti-India activities.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement justifying the expulsion, citing the need to address the intrusion into internal affairs and expressing worry over activities detrimental to India's interests. The expelled Canadian ambassador has been directed to depart from India within the next five days.

The diplomatic rift stems from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's earlier allegations of a potential link between an Indian government agent and the murder of Garmkhayali leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India swiftly dismissed these allegations as 'absurd' and 'baseless.'

Notably, The Murder in question took place on June 18, when Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar was fatally shot by two unidentified assailants outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Addressing the Canadian Parliament, Trudeau emphasized that Canada's security agencies are actively investigating substantial allegations of a possible connection between Nijjar's killing and an agent of the Indian government.

In response to the allegations leveled against India, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that any claims of India's involvement in acts of violence in Canada were baseless and unfounded. These recent developments cast a shadow over bilateral relations, prompting concerns about the potential ramifications on diplomatic ties and underscoring the urgency for transparent investigations.