Diplomatic Strain Deepens Between India and Canada Over Sikh Separatist Killing
Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh has called for a ban on the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and sanctions against Indian diplomats following accusations from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) linking them to the killing of a Sikh separatist
Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh has called for a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and sanctions against Indian diplomats following accusations from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) linking them to the killing of a Sikh separatist. Singh, a prominent Sikh leader, urged the Liberal government to act after claiming Indian diplomats were “hiring criminal elements to shoot at Canadians” during a press conference. He also called on Canadian leaders to unite to condemn Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold India accountable for these alleged activities. Singh’s comments come amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. The diplomatic row began after Ottawa accused Indian agents of being involved in the 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia. In response, both countries expelled six diplomats from each other’s embassies. India has denied the allegations, accusing Canada of harbouring terrorists and promoting separatist activities.
The RCMP described the situation as a “serious threat to public safety,” with over a dozen credible threats targeting members of Canada’s South Asian community, particularly those advocating for an independent Sikh state. Canada’s national police service also claimed that Indian officials used their positions to intimidate and harass individuals. Tensions between Canada and India have escalated after the departure of Sanjay Kumar Verma(India’s High Commissioner to Canada) and five other diplomats following their designation as “persons of interest” in an ongoing investigation. This development is the latest in a series of diplomatic expulsions between the two nations, stemming from allegations surrounding the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. The case has strained India-Canada relations, with India expressing distrust in Canada’s ability to ensure the safety of its diplomats. Meanwhile, the U.S. has also been involved, investigating a similar case involving a Sikh separatist on American soil.
