The diplomatic relation between Canada and India turned sour after Ottawa once again sparked controversy by accusing the Indian High Commissioner in Canada and some other Indian diplomats to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Things had turned bitter last year when Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau accused Indian involvement in the murder of a prominent Sikh separatist leader in Canada, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India decided to withdraw its high commissioner in Canada.
On Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Canadian Canadian Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi and conveyed the message, “We have no faith in the current Canadian Government’s commitment to ensure their security.”
“It was underlined that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau Government’s actions endangered their safety. We have no faith in the current Canadian Government’s commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials,” the Foreign Ministry said.
High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma
MEA said in a strong statement, the aspersions cast on High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma by Canada were “ludicrous”.
“High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma is India’s senior-most serving diplomat with a distinguished career spanning 36 years. He has been an Ambassador in Japan and Sudan, while also serving in Italy, Turkiye, Vietnam and China. The aspersions cast on him by the Government of Canada are ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt,” the foreign ministry said.
The Indian government had asked to share evidence with the India after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the allegations in September 2023. In a statement to Canada, the MEA said, “Despite requests from the Indian side the Canada government has not shared any evidence. “This latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts. This leaves little doubt that on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains,” the statement said.
“India continues to expect that anti-India activities, including violent extremism and terrorism, will be curtailed in Canada.” The decision to withdraw its diplomats underscores India’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its personnel abroad and signals that it is prepared to take further measures if necessary, India reiterated its posture.
