In a sharp escalation of diplomatic row between the two countries, India on Monday (October 14, 2024) ordered the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats while also announcing its decision to withdraw its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and other “targeted” diplomats in Canada after Ottawa identified them as “persons of interest” in its investigation into the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
India has firmly rejected Canada’s charge that New Delhi’s High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other diplomats in the country were “persons of interest” in an ongoing investigation linked to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. India accused Canada of furthering Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s “political agenda… centred around vote bank politics”.
Since Prime Minister Trudeau made specific allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has yet to share evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s hostility to India has long been evidenced. In 2018, his visit to India, aimed at currying favor with a vote bank, rebounded to his discomfort. His Cabinet has included individuals who have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda regarding India. His naked interference in Indian internal politics in December 2020 showed how far he was willing to go in this regard. That his Government was dependent on a political party, whose leader openly espouses a separatist ideology vis-à-vis India only aggravated matters. Under criticism for disregarding foreign interference in Canadian politics, his Government has deliberately brought India to mitigate the damage.
This latest development targeting Indian diplomats is now the next step in that direction. It is no coincidence that it took place as Prime Minister Trudeau was to depose before a Commission on Foreign Inference. It also serves the anti-India separatist agenda that the Trudeau Government has constantly pandered to for narrow political gains.
To that end, the Trudeau Government has consciously provided space for violent extremists and terrorists to harass, threaten, and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada. This has included death threats to them and Indian leaders. All these activities have been justified in the name of freedom of speech. Some individuals who have entered Canada illegally have been fast-tracked for citizenship. Multiple extradition requests from the Government of India in respect of terrorists and organized crime leaders living in Canada have been disregarded.
High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s senior diplomat, brings a wealth of experience with a distinguished career spanning 36 years. His service as Ambassador to Japan and Sudan, and in various other countries, underscores his professionalism and integrity. The aspersions cast on him by the Government of Canada are baseless and deserve to be treated with contempt.
In a resolute response, the Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the Canadian allegations as “preposterous imputations,” arguing that the matter was linked with the political challenges that the Trudeau government was facing on the domestic front in Canada. This firm stance reflects the Indian government’s commitment to defending its diplomats and national interests.
Later on Monday evening, the Ministry of External Affairs announced the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats — Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, Deputy High Commissioner Patrick Hebert, First Secretaries Marie Catherine Joly, Ian Ross David Trites, Adam James Chuipka, Paula Orjuela. They have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024. This decisive action underscores the gravity of the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau branded New Delhi’s actions as “unacceptable” during a press conference on diplomatic expulsions in Ottawa. “The government of India made a fundamental error in thinking that they could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canadians here on Canadian soil, whether it be murders or extortion or other violent acts,” said Mr. Trudeau, hours after the expulsions were announced.
