Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a statement in Parliament in September 2023 alleging possible involvement of the Indian government in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and prominent Sikh separatist. Trudeau said that Canadian authorities were probing "credible allegations" connecting Indian officials to Nijjar’s killing in British Columbia, heightening diplomatic tensions between Canada and India.
India responded angrily, rejecting the accusations as absurd and strongly denying any involvement in the matter. The fallout was immediate, with both countries expelling diplomats and India suspending visa services for Canadian citizens for a month.
The situation has escalated further, with Canadian police levelling more serious accusations, claiming that Indian diplomats and consular staff were involved in a criminal network operated by a notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang (Indian gangster). During a public inquiry, Prime Minister Trudeau declared that Canada could not “accept this fundamental violation of its sovereignty.” Recently, Canada’s foreign minister issued a stern warning, putting India’s remaining diplomats "on notice" and threatening expulsion if it was confirmed that India had endangered Canadian lives.
India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar criticised Canada's hypocrisy, highlighting the double standards in how it grants its diplomats freedom abroad while restricting foreign diplomats on its own soil.
His remarks followed Ottawa's demand for India to strip diplomatic immunity from High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, named a 'person of interest' in the murder investigation of Nijjar. This move escalated tensions, leading to the expulsion of diplomats by both sides. In an interview with foreign media, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma dismissed allegations of involvement in the killing, calling them “politically motivated” and stating, “No evidence has been presented - nothing at all.” Canada’s partners in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance – the US, the UK, and Australia – have also backed the investigation.
Additionally, US authorities have charged Vikash Yadav with “murder-for-hire and money laundering” for his alleged role in a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. A US citizen and legal adviser for the Sikhs for Justice Group, Pannun is a prominent advocate of the Khalistan movement.
FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that Vikash Yadav, “an Indian government employee, allegedly conspired with a criminal associate to assassinate a US citizen on American soil for exercising their First Amendment rights.” Sikhs for Justice responded to the US indictment, saying it underscored Washington’s “commitment to protect the life, liberty, and freedom of expression of the US citizens both at home and abroad.” India’s external affairs ministry clarified that Vikash Yadav is no longer employed by the government.
