India-Canada relations have hit a new low after Ottawa identified Indian diplomats as "persons of interest" in the investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In response, Canadian media and think tanks have criticised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for making allegations without credible evidence and for misrepresenting the Khalistani threat.

Canadian author and senior journalist John Ivison wrote in The National Post that Canada has permitted Sikh extremism to "flourish" within its borders. Additionally, he accused Prime Minister Trudeau of permitting diaspora politics to "unduly influence foreign policy" and called out the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for making grave accusations against India without presenting any evidence.

While rejecting India's claim of a "deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains" and "providing space" for terrorists and violent extremists, among others, the Canadian Police claimed that agents of the Indian government were involved in "serious criminal activity in Canada" and described the situation as "extraordinary." A "highly unusual public statement" and "remarkable allegations to make without providing any evidence" were the claims made in the article. It continued, "It is very much to be hoped that the RCMP has not allowed itself to be used for such blatantly partisan purposes".

Ivisonin blasted the Canadian prime minister for escalating the diplomatic crisis by ignoring New Delhi's concerns. He noted, "Trudeau has allowed diaspora politics to unduly influence foreign policy, pledging that 'Sikh values are Canadian values' at events and failing to crack down on suspected Khalistani extremists living in Canada". The article further states, "Canada has allowed Sikh extremism to flourish, such as the Khalistani parade float that celebrated the assassination of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi that toured the streets of Toronto in 2023", in addition to "It is simply not in Canada’s interests to be at odds with New Delhi". 

A Senior Correspondent for The National Telegraph, Daniel Bordman, expressed a similar opinion, saying, "Justin Trudeau again fails to provide compelling evidence to the public after escalating tensions with India." Despite the fact that diplomats are being expelled, he pointed out that "we are still in the 'trust me, bro' phase" of the problem. "This could end up costing Canada billions in trade. All to appease Jagmeet (Singh) and the gang of Khalistani ministers," wrote Broadman in a post on X.

Top government officials in Canada seem to be being bombarded with urgent questions by the media. Sikh Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh, Trudeau's ally, was seen abruptly ending a press conference without clearly answering questions about how Canada's economic interests would be affected by the "severe sanctions" he proposed against India.

The Khalistani threat in the West was described in detail in a tweet by Faran Jeffrey, Deputy Director of the Canadian think tank Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism (ICTC). He said, "The reality is, this isn't the Modi/BJP government vs Khalistanis; this is India vs Khalistanis".

"They are not Modi's opponents. Khalistanis are separatists. And they are not shy of acknowledging that. This is not a Modi vs Canada problem. This is an India vs separatist problem - and Trudeau's government is doing everything it can to establish that Canada is on the side of the separatists. This is not what allies do," Jeffery said, using his screen name FJ.

Following the designation of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats as "persons of interest" in the investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, Canadian police have expelled India's top diplomats, further deteriorating relations between the two countries. The animosity began when Trudeau first brought up the "involvement of Indian agents" in the Canadian Parliament in September 2023. The North American nation hasn't yet offered any proof to back up its assertion, though.