In Tit For Tat, India Expels Top Canadian Diplomat After Trudeau Claims Govt Link to Nijjar Killing

The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned on Tuesday and informed of the Government of India's decision to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days.

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.

Earlier in the day, India has firmly dismissed Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's assertion regarding the existence of "credible allegations of a potential link" between Indian government agents and the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India has labeled this claim as "absurd and motivated."

Shortly after Trudeau's address on this matter in Canada's Parliament, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced the expulsion of a "top Indian diplomat." According to public broadcaster CBC, the official identified by Joly's office is Pavan Kumar Rai, the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in Canada.

Earlier it was reported that India is likely to respond with the expulsion of a Canadian official, adhering to the customary tit-for-tat measures seen in international diplomacy.

Official details of India's response to the expulsion of the intelligence operative have not been disclosed yet. However, sources suggest that various options are under consideration, and a formal announcement may be forthcoming.

Given the ongoing special session of the Indian Parliament, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is anticipated to issue an official statement in the House regarding this matter.

India-Canada relations have been strained for some time, largely due to New Delhi's frustration with Ottawa's perceived indifference toward the activities of pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil. These elements have incited violence against Indian diplomats, including displaying officials' photos and other personal information on posters, and have targeted Indian diplomatic facilities on multiple occasions in recent years.

Canadian diplomats, including the high commissioner in New Delhi, have been summoned to the External Affairs Ministry for formal protests against the actions of Khalistani elements.

In June, the Indian government expressed significant displeasure after a float at a pro-Khalistan rally in Toronto depicted the gruesome assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and eulogized her killers.

Numerous attempts in recent years to improve India-Canada relations have encountered difficulties due to Canada's persistent stance that the activities of pro-Khalistan elements fall under the freedom of expression guaranteed to Canadian citizens.