The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada are at an
all-time low with both the countries expelling each other’s diplomats.
The move of expulsions of diplomats came after Canadian Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau said alleged links between the Indian Government agents
and killing of separatist activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar is under investigation.
Reacting to Trudeau’s remarks Tripura royal scion and TIPRA party
founder Pradyot Debbarma hit out at the Canadian PM, saying that he is
resorting to vote bank politics.
“Looks like Canadian PM is playing for a targeted vote bank,” said Pradyot
Debbarma.
He commented, “Canada should realise that an Indian PM was shot
down by people who followed the idea of separatism. Thousands were killed in
80s and 90s. Airlines were hijacked and some were blown, an Army General and a
chief minister were assassinated. One day their sympathy towards separatism
will come back to haunt them.”
It is pertinent to mention, India has decided to expel a top
Canadian diplomat from the country, informed the Ministry of External Affairs
(MEA).
“The high commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and
informed about the decision of the government of India to expel a senior
Canadian diplomat based in India,” said the MEA.
It added, “The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India
within the next five days.”
The MEA said that the “decision reflects government of India’s
growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters
and their involvement in anti-India activities”.
According to Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, the expelled
Indian diplomat is the head of the Indian intelligence in Canada.
“If proven true, this would be a great violation of our sovereignty
and of the most basic rule of how countries deal with each other,” Joly was
quoted as saying by AP.
Earlier, while speaking at the House of Commons, Justin Trudeau
said, “Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible
allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and
the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.”
“Canada has declared its deep concerns to the top intelligence
security officials of the Indian Government. Last week, at the G20, I brought
them personally and directly to Prime Minister Modi in no uncertain terms,” said
the Canadian Prime Minister.
Trudeau further urged the Indian Government to “cooperate with Canada
to get to the bottom of this matter” and reiterate its stand on “extra-judicial
operations” in another country.
Earlier during the G20 summit in New Delhi, Indian PM Narendra Modi
had expressed his concerns to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau over alleged
“anti-India activities” by “extremist elements” in Canada.
On June 18, Hardeep Singh Nijjar (45) was found dead with multiple
gunshot wounds inside a car outside a Gurdwara in Canada.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau informed that authorities are
investigating alleged links between the murder and agents of the Indian Government.
The Canadian security intelligence service had, prior to June 18, also
told Nijjar they had information that he was “under threat from professional
assassins”.
Nijjar was wanted by the Indian Government for allegedly being a
“mastermind/active member” of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).
KTF has been designated by the Indian Government as a terrorist
group.
