India Slams Canada’s Arrests in Sikh Activist Murder Case as ‘Political Compulsion

Trudeau Acknowledges Concern in Canada’s Sikh Community Over Arrests of Indian Nationals, Emphasizes Commitment to ‘Rule of Law.

Image source: Al Jazeera 

Canada’s Investigation into Sikh Separatist’s Assassination Sparks Diplomatic Tensions

India’s foreign minister described Canada’s investigation into the alleged involvement of Indian nationals in the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Vancouver last year as a response to “political compulsion.” Following the arrest of three Indian citizens by Canadian police for the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, authorities are probing their potential connections to the Indian government, if any. 

Nijjar, who migrated to Canada in 1997 and gained citizenship 18 years later, was wanted by Indian authorities on charges of terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder, which he denied. He was fatally shot by masked attackers in the parking lot of the Sikh temple he led in suburban Vancouver on June 18, 2023.

The assassination of Nijjar last year severely strained diplomatic ties between Ottawa and New Delhi, particularly when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned “credible allegations” connecting Indian intelligence to the crime. India vehemently denied these accusations as “absurd,” leading to a temporary halt in visa processing and a substantial reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence in the country. India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, was quoted by the Press Trust of India news agency as stating that Canada’s blaming of India is driven by their political pressures.

 India Pressures Canada Over Sikh Separatist Issue

Image source: The Independent 

Jaishankar mentioned that New Delhi has been urging Ottawa against granting visas or political recognition to Sikh separatists, as they pose challenges for both countries and strain their relationship. He noted Canada’s reluctance to share evidence in certain cases and lack of cooperation from police agencies. India will await information from Canadian police regarding the arrested individuals, whom Jaishankar described as seemingly having ties to some form of Indian criminal network.

“We’ll await further details from the police,” he remarked. “However, as I’ve previously mentioned, one of our persistent concerns is Canada’s tolerance of organized crime originating from India, particularly from Punjab, operating within its borders.”

The trio of Indian citizens, all in their twenties, were apprehended in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta province, facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy. They were alleged to have fulfilled the roles of the assailant, driver, and lookout in the killing last June. Canadian authorities acknowledged the potential involvement of “others” in the murder.

At a Sikh heritage and culture event in Toronto on Saturday, Trudeau recognized that numerous Sikhs in Canada currently harbor feelings of unease and perhaps fear, but he encouraged trust in the justice system.

India has issued repeated warnings to the governments of Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom regarding the resurgence efforts of Sikh separatists.

Trudeau Stands for Fairness in Sikh Separatist Arrests

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Trudeau emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and upholding our democratic values and legal system. He stressed that the recent arrests were significant as Canada adheres to the rule of law and is committed to safeguarding all its citizens. Nijjar advocated for Khalistan, a separate Sikh state, during the 1980s, resulting in numerous casualties. While the movement has waned in India, it still garners support among a vocal minority in the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, where the community is sizable, numbering around 770,000 individuals.

In November, the US Department of Justice filed charges against an Indian national residing in the Czech Republic for allegedly planning a comparable assassination attempt within the United States.

According to a recent investigation by The Washington Post, Indian foreign intelligence operatives were purportedly implicated in the plot, although this assertion has been denied by New Delhi.