In a development signaling a further deterioration in diplomatic relations, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced the expulsion of an Indian diplomat from the country, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The decision to expel the Indian diplomat comes in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement, wherein he alleged Indian involvement in the killing of the wanted Khalistani leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Minister Joly stated that the Canadian government had taken this step due to allegations of India’s role in the assassination of the Khalistani leader. However, she did not disclose the diplomat’s identity or the location from which they were expelled, according to Al Jazeera.
At a news conference, Minister Joly expressed her strong disapproval, saying, “We see this possible breach of sovereignty as completely unacceptable, and so, that is also why we’re coming (out) with this information (of the expulsion of the Indian diplomat) today,” as reported by Al Jazeera.
Earlier on the same day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had accused the Indian government of being responsible for the fatal shooting of the sought-after Khalistani leader, as reported by CBC News.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was fatally shot on June 18 outside a gurdwara in a parking area in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
According to CBC News, Prime Minister Trudeau asserted that Canada’s national security agencies had credible reasons to suspect that “agents of the Indian government” were behind the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.
Trudeau emphasized that foreign involvement, be it from a government or otherwise, in the murder of a Canadian citizen within Canadian territory was unacceptable. He stated, “Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty. It is contrary to the fundamental principles that govern free, open, and democratic societies.”
Furthermore, he urged the Indian government to collaborate with Canada in uncovering the truth behind this matter, as reported by CBC News. Trudeau acknowledged that some Indo-Canadians might be experiencing anger and fear and emphasized the need to maintain unity and resilience, saying, “Let us not allow this to change us.”
Also Read: Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Accuses India of Ties to Khalistani Leader’s Murder
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