With India-Canada relations at a low ebb, diplomats are returning home
On Monday, Prime Minister Trudeau said, “India made a big mistake by using diplomats and agents to attack sovereign Canadian soil.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Indian agents have committed murders in Canada and it is now proven. India protested this statement.
Both Canada and India have expelled six diplomats each from their respective countries due to this incident. That is, Canada has ordered six Indian diplomats to return home. India has also done the same with Canadian diplomats.
It is now clear that Indian agents were involved in the murder of Canadian Sikh citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar a year ago, according to Canada. The matter came up in the investigation. The Prime Minister of Canada said that this act of India cannot be accepted in any way. In fact, the Canadian administration ordered the repatriation of six Indian diplomats only after the evidence came to hand.
Hardeep was agitating for a separate Sikh state. This movement is known as ‘Khalistan Movement’.
He was a citizen of Canada. Nijjar was murdered in Vancouver last year. After the initial investigation, Canada said that Indian agents were behind the incident. The Royal Mounted Police were tasked with investigating. Police said on Monday that there was clear evidence of the involvement of Indian agents in that incident and several similar incidents.
Trudeau’s speech
Prime Minister Trudeau said on Monday, “India made a big mistake by using diplomats and agents to attack sovereign Canadian soil.” In the words of the Prime Minister, ‘the investigation of the Royal Mounted Police clearly involved Indian diplomats and agents in the incident.’ Trudeau said his first and primary duty is to protect Canadian citizens on Canadian soil. His job is to maintain law and order in the country. He will not accept in any way that any other country will come to his country and commit murder.
Mounted Police investigation
Four important points emerged from the Mounted Police investigation. The activism of Indian agents has been observed in several incidents of violence. They are directly linked to the murder. South Asians living in Canada are under threat. Canada’s democratic sovereign character is under attack.
Indian agents were also active on Canadian soil during the investigation and a series of incidents were alleged to have taken place.
India’s response
New Delhi responded after Canada’s move. India has said that Canada’s comments are baseless. India has repeatedly sought evidence from them. But Canada has not yet given it. India has also alleged that Canada is making these comments for political reasons. In response to Canada’s move, India also ordered six Canadian diplomats to return home by Saturday.
Reuters, AP
