Tensions between India and Canada have reached a new level as Sikh for Justice, a Khalistani group, has called for protests outside Indian embassies in Canadian cities. This escalation follows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent allegations of a “potential link” between New Delhi and the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.
Hardeep Singh Grewal, a director for Sikh for Justice in Canada, announced on Sunday that his organization would lead protests outside Indian embassies and consulates in major Canadian cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver. Their primary grievance centers around the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Additionally, Grewal emphasized the group’s demand for Canada to expel the Indian ambassador in response to the perceived injustice.
These developments have led to heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nations. India has vehemently rejected the allegations made by Canada, deeming them both “absurd” and “motivated.” As a result, reciprocal actions have been taken, with both countries expelling diplomats, and New Delhi suspending the issuance of visas for Canadian nationals.
The core of the dispute revolves around the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, who was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver with a substantial Sikh population, on June 18. In a significant move in 2020, India officially designated Nijjar as a terrorist, citing his links to Khalistani separatist movements.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent statement, in which he spoke of “credible allegations” connecting Indian government agents to Nijjar’s murder, has further inflamed the situation. The Canadian government, deploying a combination of human and signals intelligence, has been actively investigating Nijjar’s murder, as reported by CBC News, citing unnamed sources.
Canada is home to a significant Sikh population, with over 770,000 Sikhs residing in the country. In contrast, in India, Sikhs make up just 2% of the total population, which numbers 1.4 billion.
Adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing tensions, Canadian lawmaker Chandra Arya, a member of Justin Trudeau’s party, openly criticized his government’s perceived inaction against Khalistani extremists. He expressed concerns about the threats issued by these extremists against Hindu Canadians and urged the Hindu community to remain calm and vigilant.
The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic relations between India and Canada strained, and internal tensions within Canada reflecting broader geopolitical complexities. The protests outside Indian embassies in Canada serve as a visible manifestation of the deep-seated issues at play, highlighting the importance of diplomatic resolution and dialogue to defuse the escalating tensions.