Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a press conference on investigative efforts related to violent criminal activities occurring in Canada in relation to India on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario on October 14, 2024. Photo Credit: AP
Canada has expelled six Indian diplomats and consular officials in connection with an investigation into Murder of a Sikh separatist leader Last year in British Columbia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday (October 14, 2024).
India had earlier said it had ordered the expulsion of six top Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner Refuting Canada’s statement, it withdrew its envoy from Canada That it had expelled the messenger.
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relations between the two countries I have been having trouble since last yearWhen Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had Evidence of involvement of Indian agents in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader In his country.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they have significant information about widespread criminal activities conducted by agents of the Indian government and used to target members of the South Asian community in Canada.
Here is a timeline of events that occurred:
June 18, 2023: Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, Shot dead outside a Sikh temple in SurreyA Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population. He was a Canadian citizen who was campaigning for the creation of an independent Sikh homeland by separation from India.
September 1, 2023: A Canadian trade official says Canada has halted talks on a proposed trade pact with India, an unexpected move that comes nearly three months after the two countries said they would seal an initial deal in 2023. Planned to install.
September 10, 2023: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong concerns about the Sikh separatist protests in Canada to Prime Minister Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi.
September 18, 2023: Trudeau told this to Parliament Canada was “actively pursuing credible allegations” Indian government agents are being linked to Nijjar’s murder.
September 19, 2023: India rejects Trudeau’s claim as “absurd”. Each country expels a diplomat in a tit-for-tat move, with Canada expelling India’s top intelligence official in the country, while India expelled its Canadian counterpart.
September 22, 2023:India has suspended issuing new visas for Canadians And asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in India. India resumed issuing visas after two months.
October 19, 2023: Canada has recalled 41 diplomats from India Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie says amid controversy over Nijjar’s murder.
October 29, 2023: Thousands of Sikhs gathered in Surrey, British Columbia, at the same Gurdwara, a Sikh house of worship, where Nijjar was murdered, to vote in an informal referendum on the creation of an independent Sikh state.
November 21, 2023: National Investigation Agency of India Case registered against Gurpatwant Singh PannunA Sikh separatist said he had warned Air India passengers that their lives were in danger in video messages shared on social media.
November 22, 2023: A senior Biden administration official says US officials foiled a plot to kill Pannun In the United States and issued a warning to India over the concerns of the New Delhi government.
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February 5, 2024: India’s High Commissioner said in an interview with Canada globe and mail The newspaper said India would not provide information on Nijjar’s murder to Canadian investigators unless Canada shared evidence.
April 30, 2024: The White House has called it a serious matter Washington Post Let us tell you that an officer of the Indian Intelligence Service Was directly involved in both the assassination of Nijjar and the failed conspiracy to assassinate Pannun in America.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the report contained “unwarranted and baseless allegations”.
May 3, 2024: canadian police Charges against three people related to Nijjar’s murdersays a source directly familiar with the matter.
August 27, 2024: A prominent Sikh separatist says Canadian police have warned Nijjar’s associate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of increased threats to his life.
October 14, 2024: Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, linking them to the killing of a Sikh separatist leader and alleging a broader effort to target Indian dissidents in Canada. India Retaliated by ordering the expulsion of six high-ranking Canadian diplomats Including the Acting High Commissioner and said it had recalled its envoy from Canada, contradicting Canada’s statement of expulsion. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, “We Will never tolerate any foreign government involvement Threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil.”
published – October 15, 2024 12:33 PM IST