In a diplomatic move that could have serious consequences for its relationship with India, the Canadian government expelled a high-ranking Indian diplomat on September 19. This action follows Canada's investigation into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whom Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau considers a "Canadian citizen." Trudeau's government, despite the absence of concrete evidence, suspects the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in Nijjar's murder.

In response, the Indian government expelled a Canadian diplomat, marking a retaliatory step in this escalating diplomatic dispute that threatens to further strain relations between the two nations. As soon as Canada initiated an investigation into the possible connection between Indian government agents and the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, foreign supporters of the 'breaking India' movement seized the opportunity to capitalize on the situation.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), in collaboration with the World Sikh Organisation of Canada (WSO), has presented a set of four demands to the Canadian government led by Justin Trudeau. These demands include the immediate recall of Canada's Ambassador to India, the expulsion of the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, the formal suspension of trade negotiations between India and Canada, and a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

“Today, NCCM CEO Stephen Brown joined Mukhbir Singh, Board of Directors, World Sikh Organization of Canada to call for clear actions by our government in response to the alleged assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar by agents of the Government of India,” read the post shared by the NCCM on its official Instagram account.

In a Facebook post, NCCM wrote, “NCCM is calling for the killers of a fellow Canadian to be brought to justice. Along with the powerful calls for diplomatic consequences, an end to intelligence sharing and a public inquiry were mentioned by the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO). We are calling for four additional actions:

1) The immediate recalling of Canada’s High Commissioner to India

2) An initiation of the process of expulsion of the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma

3) A formal freeze on trade negotiations between India and Canada, including but not limited to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

4) Together with the WSO we today call for the immediate banning of the RSS under the listing provisions in the Criminal Code and the removal of its agents from Canada.

The Muslim and Sikh radical groups essentially called for an end to all diplomatic ties between Canada and India, and an end to intelligence sharing too.”

Following Trudeau's statement, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and the World Sikh Organisation of Canada (WSO) jointly issued four demands to the Canadian government. Recall the Canadian Ambassador to India, expel the Indian Ambassador to Canada, freeze trade negotiations with India, and ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This statement was made during a press conference in the Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa, sparking questions about the Trudeau administration's actions.

Image source: ANI