A recently surfaced letter from Khalistani terrorist GurpatwantSingh Pannun to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlights the escalating tensions between India and Canada. In the letter, Pannun demands the expulsion of the Indian High Commissioner in Canada, following Trudeau's allegations of Indian agents' involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The diplomatic rift has deepened since Trudeau's accusations, which included labeling Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and several diplomats as "persons of interest" in the case, marking a significant downturn in bilateral relations.

In a reciprocal move, New Delhi and Ottawa expelled six diplomats from each other's countries amid escalating tensions. A recently surfaced letter from Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) accused Indian agents of involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder, following Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations made in the Canadian parliament. The SFJ, which is banned in India for its pro-Khalistani activities, characterised Nijjar as a "law-abiding" and "peace-loving Canadian citizen" who was targeted for his efforts to mobilise Canadian Sikhs to participate and vote in the 'Khalistan referendum.'

"High Commissioner Verma, as the head of India’s mission in Canada, must be held accountable for Nijjar’s assassination, which in every sense is an act of state terrorism by India. The assassination of a Canadian citizen by India on Canadian soil is an unprecedented and unconscionable attack on Canada’s sovereignty and on the lives and liberties of all Canadians," wrote SFJ spokesperson, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in the letter.

Pannun asserted that Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma either knew or should have known about the alleged plot to assassinate Nijjar, accusing him of targeting those who peacefully advocated for "Sikh human rights." He warned that if Verma was not expelled immediately, more campaigners for the 'Khalistan referendum' could be at risk from Indian agents operating in Canada.

In a related development, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before Canada’s foreign interference inquiry, stating that they had only provided "intelligence and no proof" regarding claims of India's involvement. India, for its part, has consistently maintained that Canada has not provided any evidence to support these allegations and has criticised the Trudeau administration, placing the responsibility squarely on the Canadian Prime Minister.

“What we have heard today only confirms what we have been saying consistently all along - Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats. The responsibility for the damage that this cavalier behaviour has caused to India-Canada relations lies with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated.