India Expels Top Canadian Diplomat in Retaliatory Move Amid Growing Dispute
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In a tit-for-tat response, the Indian government has expelled Canada’s top diplomat within just five days of Ottawa ordering the expulsion of a senior Indian intelligence official. The latest move comes as tensions between the two countries escalate over allegations of India’s involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada is conducting an investigation into “credible allegations” of Indian government spies’ involvement in the June killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist advocating for the secession and creation of the state of Kalistan, was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a neighborhood in Vancouver where a large Sikh population resides. The Indian government had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in July 2020.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Canada’s high commissioner to New Delhi to inform about the expulsion order of the diplomat. In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs cited concerns over Canadian diplomats’ interference in Indian affairs and their involvement in anti-India activities as the reason for the expulsion. The diplomat has been given five days to leave the country.
Canada dismissed India’s allegations as “absurd and motivated” and called on the Canadian government to take legal measures to crackdown on anti-India groups using Canadian territory as a base of operations. Meanwhile, other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, have expressed concern about the growing rift between India and Canada. A spokesperson for the British government stated that they are closely monitoring the serious allegations made by Canada against India, while Australia acknowledged the ongoing investigation and expressed its concerns to senior Indian officials.
As diplomatic tensions between India and Canada persist, the international community closely watches the developments unfold. The repercussions of this dispute could have far-reaching consequences for bilateral relations and cooperation on various fronts.
Source: Reuters
The Indian government has expelled Canada’s top diplomat from the country within five days, in a retaliatory move that came just hours after Ottawa ordered the expulsion of a senior Indian intelligence official. He also accused the Delhi government of complicity in the assassination of a separatist Sikh leader.
The dispute between India and Canada has escalated after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada was conducting an investigation. There are “credible allegations” that Indian government spies were involved in the June assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot dead on June 18 outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a neighborhood in the city. Vancouver has a large Sikh population.
Nijjar was one of the leading Sikh activists who supported secession and the creation of their own state, Kalistan, and was blacklisted as a terrorist by the Indian government in July. 2020
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday (19) that it had summoned Canada’s high commissioner to New Delhi. to inform about the expulsion order of the said diplomat
“This decision reflects India’s concern over the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal affairs. Including their involvement in anti-India activities,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.
“The diplomat has been ordered to leave India within five days.”
The Indian movement comes after Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered the expulsion of a senior Indian intelligence official from the country on Monday.
India has dismissed Canada’s claims as “absurd and motivated” and has called on Canada to take legal measures to crack down on anti-India groups using Canadian territory as a base of operations.
Meanwhile, several countries have begun to express their concern about the rift between the two countries, with a British government spokesperson saying on Monday that it had been in close discussions with Canadian officials about Ottawa’s ‘serious allegations’ against India. comment while the Canadian investigation continues.
Spokesperson for the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong He acknowledged that the British government is concerned about the scandal that links India to the murder of a separatist Sikh leader.
“Australia is very concerned about these scandals. and acknowledged that an investigation is currently underway We are in contact with our partners to monitor progress. We have informed senior Indian officials of our concerns. “
Source: Reuters
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