In Canada, a Sikh temple leader was assassinated, leading to the expulsion of an Indian diplomat from the country. The expelled diplomat is alleged to be an agent of India’s intelligence agency, known as ‘R.’
On the other hand, Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has announced that they will investigate the potential involvement of India in the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. He has called upon the Indian government to cooperate in this matter.
Trudeau stated in a press release on Monday night, “The involvement of any foreign government in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is a violation of our sovereignty.”
He also mentioned that Canadian security agencies have been investigating the connections between Indian government agents and the murder of Sikh-Canadian activists that occurred in June of the past year.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in a Sikh temple on June 18. The incident in British Columbia has raised widespread questions and condemnation.
The Canadian authorities have not received any comments from the Indian High Commission in Ottawa regarding this matter.
Furthermore, Canada’s Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, stated on Monday night that the Canadian government has expelled an Indian diplomat suspected of involvement in the murder. The expelled diplomat is said to be the head of the Indian intelligence agency ‘R,’ but detailed information has not been disclosed.
A report in the Globe and Mail initially suggested that there is probable information linking India to the murder of Nijjar, which has caused tension between India and Canada.
It is worth mentioning that during a recent G20 summit in New Delhi, India’s Prime Minister expressed ‘deep concern’ over the Sikh protests in Canada, accusing them of promoting separatism, spreading violence against Indian diplomatic missions, causing damage to the diplomatic area, and threatening Indian community members in Canada.
In the statement, it was said, “They are promoting divisiveness, fomenting violence against Indian diplomats, causing harm to diplomatic areas, and issuing threats against the Indian community in Canada.”
Source: Al Jazeera
