In a recent development, India has requested Canada for specific information regarding the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This comes after Canada announced that it was investigating allegations linking the Indian state with the murder. India has dismissed these claims as “absurd” and emphasized that it is open to investigating any relevant allegations while maintaining its non-involvement in the incident. The Indian Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, made these remarks at an event in New York prior to his address at the UN General Assembly.
The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar took place outside a temple in British Columbia in June. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020, an allegation that his supporters fiercely deny. The demand for Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland, by Sikh separatists in Western countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK has been met with strong reactions from the Indian government. The Khalistan movement experienced its peak in India during the 1980s with a violent insurgency centered in the Sikh-majority Punjab state.
India has also provided Canada with significant information about organized crime and the leadership involved in secessionist activities based in the country. The Indian Minister highlighted the complex mix of organized crime, violence, and extremism associated with these forces. Furthermore, India emphasized that there have been numerous extradition requests and identified terrorist leaders.
The dispute between India and Canada escalated after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canada’s intelligence agencies were investigating potential involvement of “agents of the government of India” in Nijjar’s murder. This led to a sharp response from India, expressing concerns about anti-India activities among extremist elements in Canada. Consequently, both countries expelled a diplomat from each other’s nation. India also suspended visa services for Canadians, citing security concerns at its diplomatic missions.
In addition, questions have been raised about the intelligence shared among the Five Eyes, an intelligence-sharing network consisting of the US, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, pertaining to Nijjar’s murder. While a US diplomat in Canada confirmed the existence of shared intelligence, the Indian Foreign Minister clarified that he is not part of the Five Eyes or the FBI.
The United States has expressed its support for a thorough and impartial investigation into Canada’s allegations. The US State Department spokesperson urged the Indian government to cooperate with the investigation. This ongoing dispute between India and Canada has political implications and highlights the complex dynamics surrounding the issue of Sikh separatism in India.
It is essential for both countries to handle this situation with utmost care and transparency. India should engage in a thorough investigation and provide necessary information to Canada if it wants to dispel doubts about its involvement. On the other hand, Canada must ensure that its investigation remains impartial and based on concrete evidence rather than unsubstantiated claims. This incident also serves as a reminder of the challenges India faces in addressing the demands for Khalistan and the potential impact on its international relations, particularly with countries where Sikh diaspora communities reside.
Overall, this development further underscores the need for open and constructive dialogue between India and Canada to address and resolve contentious issues while maintaining strong bilateral relations.
