The brand new Justin Trudeau assertion deepens row between India and Canada over New Delhi’s alleged concentrating on of Sikh dissidents.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused India’s authorities of orchestrating violence within the nation, the newest chapter in a rising rift over New Delhi’s alleged concentrating on of Canada-based Sikh separatists.
Trudeau levelled the costs throughout an inquiry on overseas interference Wednesday, saying there are “ever clearer indications” that India violated Canada’s sovereignty by concentrating on Sikh dissidents in its territory.
India’s actions, Trudeau stated, are a “horrific mistake”.
The assertion comes two days after India and Canada kicked out one another’s high envoys over the rift, which began with the assassination of Sikh separatist chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver in June 2023.
Later that 12 months, Trudeau stated Canada obtained credible proof to hyperlink Indian brokers to the assassination of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who advocated for a Sikh homeland within the type of an impartial Khalistani state.
Canadian authorities have since arrested 4 Indian nationals in reference to the homicide, which New Delhi has repeatedly denied involvement in.
On Monday, India once more rejected claims it was related to the killing of Nijjar, who it had labelled a “terrorist”. It referred to as the allegations “preposterous” and a “technique of smearing India for political good points”.
Nonetheless, Trudeau, talking at Wednesday’s inquiry, stated Nijjar’s homicide was a part of an much more in depth Indian operation, with Indian authorities representatives systematically concentrating on dissidents inside Canada.
“Violence in direction of Canadians … has been enabled by and in lots of instances directed by the Indian authorities,” stated the Canadian premier, citing a nationwide police investigation. He added that New Delhi, when introduced with the allegations, had merely doubled down “on assaults in opposition to this authorities”.
Whereas Canada’s authorities doesn’t wish to choose “a combat with a major buying and selling associate”, Trudeau stated he wouldn’t waver when “standing up for Canadian sovereignty”.
US accusations
India’s authorities has additionally confronted accusations from the US of trying to assassinate a Sikh separatist on its soil. In November 2023, the US Division of Justice introduced costs in opposition to Indian nationwide Nikhil Gupta over an alleged plot concentrating on Sikh American activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, claiming it was coordinated with an Indian authorities worker and others.
On Wednesday, a US State Division spokesperson stated a gathering between the US and India concerning a probe into the foiled plot was productive.