Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, over alleged ties to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader and targeting Indian dissidents in Canada. In retaliation, India expelling six high-ranking Canadian diplomats and withdrew its envoy from Canada. This marks a major deterioration in relations between the two countries, with ties frayed since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the assassination of a Sikh leader in Canada. Canada cited evidence of Indian agents engaging in activities endangering public safety.
India denied the accusations and dismissed Canada’s move, labelling it a political agenda. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police accused India of a campaign against Indian dissidents, including murders and interfering in democratic processes. Canada had requested India remove diplomatic immunity from the accused diplomats for questioning, but they did not cooperate.
The relationship between Canada and India has suffered a major rupture, with Canada withdrawing diplomats in response to Indian demands to reduce their presence. The situation has escalated to the point where a return to normalcy is unlikely in the foreseeable future. The accusations of Indian involvement in assassination plots against Sikh separatist leaders in Canada and the U.S. have strained relations and raised concerns about forging deeper ties to counter China’s influence. The U.S. has also alleged Indian involvement in a foiled murder plot in New York and will meet with Indian officials to discuss the matter.
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