India and Canada expelled their top diplomats amid escalating tensions over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, who was assassinated on Canadian soil last year. At least one credible allegation implicated Indian agents in the killing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, prompting his government to respond. Indian agents were suspected of perpetuating violence, extortion, and attacking supporters of the Khalistan movement that wants a separate homeland for Sikhs in India by Canadian police.

India, however, outrightly dismissed the allegations terming them “absurd,” and accused the prime minister of pandering to Canada’s large Sikh community for political mileage. ‘Trudeau insisted that evidence from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) could not be ignored and called India’s actions a “fundamental error.” The row has only further strained relations between the two countries.’

In retaliation, India asked Canada to withdraw several diplomats, including acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler. ‘India suspended visa services for Canadians and justified their High Commissioner, describing allegations made against him as “ludicrous.” Canada, on its part, insisted that it had supplied the evidence that India demanded and called upon India to investigate the matter.’

‘Things have only worsened since Trudeau first raised the allegations in September 2023, which caused diplomatic tension. Indian authorities claim no evidence has been shared, and the accusations are politically motivated.’

Najjar was a Khalistan movement supporter shot and killed by masked gunmen outside the Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Indian authorities had branded Nijjar a terrorist, a claim denied by his supporters. Canadian police described it as a “targeted attack.”

The India-Canada relations have worsened over the past few months, as both countries have called back some of their diplomats and publicly vented their grievances. The Canadian establishment is worried that the situation may escalate into more violence, especially against the Khalistan supporters in Canada, who number the largest community of Sikhs outside India. Both countries are feeling the heat and want the stalemate in the diplomatic circle to end amicably.

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