Entry Denial
Amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India over the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Indian Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami was denied entry to Gurdwara Albert in Glasgow on Friday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing led to the imposition of a ban on Indian officials visiting Gurdwaras in their official capacity.
Moreover, Sikh protesters, angered by Nijjar’s murder in Canada, confronted Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami at the Gurdwara in the United Kingdom, prompting his departure from the premises.
Gunmen shot and killed Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, in June. As a result, the Indian government faced blame for the killing, which led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats by New Delhi and Ottawa.
Trudeau alleged on September 18 that Indian agents were involved in Nijjar’s murder. India forcefully denied any role in the killing, calling such suggestions “absurd.”
Trudeau called on the Indian government to collaborate in uncovering the truth and ensuring justice and accountability.
Canada’s allies, including the US, have approached the situation cautiously, in part because major countries see India as a counterbalance to China’s expanding influence.
India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, discussed the Canadian allegations of India’s potential involvement in the murder with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
During these discussions, Jaishankar presented his concerns and exchanged views and assessments on the situation at a Hudson Institute event in Washington DC.
