India has summoned Canada’s chargé d’affaires, Stewart Wheeler, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing diplomatic dispute between New Delhi and Ottawa. This move follows Canada’s recent identification of the Indian High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in the investigation into the 2023 murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded strongly, rejecting these allegations as “preposterous” and accusing the Canadian government of using this issue for political gains. The MEA stated, “The Government of India strongly rejects these imputations and attributes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government, driven by vote bank politics.”
This diplomatic row stems from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s assertion that there were “credible allegations” linking Indian intelligence to Nijjar’s killing, a claim India has repeatedly dismissed as absurd. Nijjar, designated as a terrorist by India in 2020, was involved in pro-Khalistan activities.
India has accused Canada of allowing pro-Khalistan elements to operate freely on its soil, a long-standing issue between the two nations. In response to the recent escalation, the Indian government has warned that it reserves the right to take further actions.
The tensions have also highlighted a deeper strain in the relationship, with India pointing to Trudeau’s long-standing hostility toward New Delhi, referencing his controversial 2018 visit to India and his cabinet’s alleged associations with extremist elements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trudeau recently had a brief interaction at the ASEAN Summit in Laos, though no substantial discussions were reported. Trudeau, while addressing the media, emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of Canadians.
This diplomatic standoff comes amid ongoing concerns in India about the growing influence of pro-Khalistan groups in Canada, further straining bilateral relations between the two countries.
