Canada-India tensions escalate as Jagmeet Singh calls for diplomatic sanctions
- In Reports
- 11:10 AM, Oct 15, 2024
- Myind Staff
Tensions between India and Canada have intensified over the murder of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On Monday, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh urged the Canadian government to take strong action against India. Singh specifically called for the expulsion of Indian diplomats and sanctions against India's diplomatic corps in Canada.
In his statement, Singh expressed support for the recent decision to expel Indian diplomats, saying, “We support today’s decision to expel India’s diplomats and we’re calling on the Government of Canada yet again to put diplomat sanctions against India in place, ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Network (RSS) in Canada, and commit to pursuing the most severe consequences for anyone found to have participated in organised criminal activity on Canadian soil."
Singh also voiced concern over reports released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding violent activities connected to Indian agents. He said, "Canadians, particularly the Sikh community in Canada, have been stalked by fear, threats, harassment, and violence — including extortion, violence, and electoral interference all allegedly at the hands of Indian officials."
The RCMP had earlier released a report on October 14, which highlighted concerns about "violent extremism impacting both countries (India and Canada)," and alleged links between Indian agents and criminal activity in Canada. This report also mentioned interference in democratic processes and a campaign of violence targeting the South Asian community in Canada.
Singh further claimed that the Canadian government has long held evidence of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s murder. “Canada has long held credible evidence that the Narendra Modi government was involved in the murder of Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil,” Singh stated. He added that the New Democratic Party had to push for the inclusion of India’s alleged subversive activities in the ongoing inquiry into foreign interference.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly also announced that six Indian diplomats had been expelled in response to the situation. Joly said the decision came after the RCMP provided “ample, clear, and concrete evidence” tying these diplomats to a campaign targeting Canadian citizens. She urged India to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into Nijjar’s murder.
In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler. The Ministry of External Affairs in India issued a strong statement rejecting Canada’s actions, accusing Prime Minister Trudeau's government of providing space to extremists and terrorists who threaten Indian diplomats and leaders in Canada.
The diplomatic rift between the two nations worsened last year when Prime Minister Trudeau alleged that India was involved in Nijjar's killing. Nijjar, a known supporter of Khalistan, had been designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020. He was shot dead in June 2023 outside a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada. India has repeatedly denied any involvement in the assassination, calling the allegations baseless.
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