INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Last Updated : Oct 15 2024 | 10:51 AM IST
Canada on Monday accused India of supporting violent criminal activity on its soil, bringing
The subsequent developments led to a diplomatic standoff, resulting in the expulsion of top diplomats from both countries, including Indian
High Commissioner Sanjay Verma.
The tensions escalated when Canada claimed that Verma and other Indian diplomats were "persons of
Mike Duheme alleged that Canada has information regarding criminal activities conducted by agents of the Indian government, though he
behaviour targeting South Asian Canadians, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder
of having to disrupt the chain of operations that go from Indian diplomats here in Canada to criminal organisations to direct violent
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly reinforced these allegations, stating that India-linked violence "actually increased" following
It also decided to withdraw Verma, along with other diplomats and officials from Canada.Later, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats,
India retaliated by expelling an equal number of top Canadian officials, who have been asked to leave the country by Saturday.
India also
said that Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's hostility towards India has been clear for some time
The Centre accused Trudeau's administration of intentionally allowing violent extremists and terrorists "to harass, threaten and intimidate
Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada."
How did India-Canada tensions begin?
The latest standoff comes almost a year after
Nijjar, a Khalistan supporter, was gunned down on June 18, 2023, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
He was associated with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the banned separatist group Sikhs for Justice
India called the allegations "absurd" and "motivated," resulting in a diplomatic fallout between the two countries that has worsened since
Both Nijjar and Pannun have been designated as terrorists by India.
What is the Khalistan movement issue?
Last week, Prime Minister
charges.
Sikhs, who form just over 2.1 per cent of the Canadian population, are central to its politics
The Khalistan movement, advocating for a separate homeland called Khalistan in Punjab, has small pockets of support among sections of the
initial charges, the United States made similar remarks, linking India to an alleged assassination plot to eliminate Pannun in New York,
which it claimed had been foiled
panel is scheduled to visit Washington, DC, to investigate these allegations, according to a statement from the US State Department.First
Published: Oct 15 2024 | 9:56 AMIST
