Diplomatic Dispute
Amid deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Canada, New Delhi has instructed Ottawa to repatriate 41 diplomats by October 10, as reported by the Financial Times on Tuesday.
The strained ties between these two US allies have primarily stemmed from Canadian suspicions that Indian government agents played a role in the murder of Sikh leader and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada back in June, whom India had labeled a “terrorist.” India has vehemently denied these allegations, deeming them absurd.
According to sources familiar with India’s demand, as cited by the Financial Times, New Delhi has issued a warning that it would revoke the diplomatic immunity of the diplomats asked to leave if they remain in India beyond October 10.
Moreover, Canada currently has 62 diplomats in India, and New Delhi has demanded a reduction of 41, as reported by the newspaper.
As of now, neither the Indian nor the Canadian foreign ministries have provided immediate responses to requests for comments. However, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had previously mentioned concerns about a “climate of violence” and an “atmosphere of intimidation” against Indian diplomats in Canada, where the presence of Sikh separatist groups has caused frustration for New Delhi.
Global Protests Rise Against Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s Murder
Following Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s revelation implicating the government of Narendra Modi in Nijjar’s murder, the Sikh community has organized protests demanding the expulsion of Indian diplomats from London and Ottawa.
On Monday, a significant number of Sikhs gathered at the Indian High Commission in London to express solidarity with Canada and challenge India’s overt and violent interference in other countries regarding pro-Khalistan activism.
Chanting slogans to close down Indian missions and expel High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami, the protesters pledged to continue advocating for Sikhs’ right to self-determination through the global Khalistan Referendum campaign.
Also, the Sikh demonstrators carried posters of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Paramjeet Singh Pamma, UK-EU Coordinator of Khalistan Referendum, stated that the Sikh Sangat collectively decided to block Doraiswami’s entry into Glasgow Gurdwara Sahib. He asserted, “Indian agents are not permitted to visit Gurdwara Sahibs because they do not come to pray or pay respect; instead, they come to spy on the Sikhs and propagate lies crafted by the Hindutva Modi government.”
Paramjeet Singh Pamma, UK-EU Coordinator of Khalistan Referendum, underscored that there is no doubt that Indian agents, operating under the supervision of the Indian High Commission in Canada, solely assassinated Canadian citizen Nijjar for his leadership in the Khalistan Referendum campaign.
