Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has emphasized that he is not attempting to provoke India amid a growing dispute surrounding the murder of a Sikh separatist leader. The controversy revolves around the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, who was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia on June 18th.
Trudeau has stated that Canadian intelligence is pursuing “credible allegations” suggesting a connection between Nijjar’s murder and the Indian state.
In response to Canada’s actions, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat after Canada’s foreign minister announced the expulsion of an Indian diplomat.
India has firmly rejected Trudeau’s allegations, labeling them as “absurd” and driven by political motives. India has also pointed out that Canada has provided shelter to “Khalistani terrorists and extremists” for an extended period, posing a threat to India’s security.
The United States has expressed its concern over the allegations and has urged India to cooperate with an investigation into the matter.
-BBC-