Amid growing tensions between Canada and India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a crucial conversation with his United Kingdom counterpart, Keir Starmer. The phone call comes in the wake of escalating diplomatic friction between Canada and India, triggered by Trudeau’s public accusations regarding India’s alleged involvement in Nijjar’s death.
On October 14, the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement detailing the discussion between Trudeau and Starmer. The statement noted that both leaders expressed concern over recent developments and emphasized the importance of protecting citizens and upholding the rule of law. “Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, discussed recent developments related to a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the government of India,” the statement read.
Trudeau highlighted Canada’s commitment to cooperating with India on resolving the issue, stressing that Canada would work with its international partners to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. “Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Starmer agreed to remain in close and regular contact,” the statement added, signaling the potential involvement of other nations in mediating or supporting Canada’s position in the dispute.
Canada’s Allegations and India’s Response
The diplomatic row between Canada and India erupted after Trudeau claimed that Canadian intelligence had “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent figure within the Khalistani separatist movement, in June 2023. Trudeau raised these allegations in the Canadian Parliament in September, sparking a sharp response from India.
India has categorically denied the accusations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated,” and has countered that Canada has been offering a safe haven to extremist elements hostile to India. New Delhi has also accused the Canadian government of failing to address concerns over pro-Khalistan activities and anti-India rhetoric emanating from its territory.
Diplomatic Fallout: Expulsion of Diplomats
The escalating tensions have led to a tit-for-tat diplomatic fallout. Following Canada’s expulsion of an Indian diplomat linked to the case, India retaliated by expelling six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, Deputy High Commissioner Patrick Hebert, and several other senior officials. These diplomats have been given until October 19, 2024, to leave India.
India also announced the withdrawal of its High Commissioner from Ottawa. In response, Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly explained that the decision to expel Indian diplomats was based on evidence gathered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding Nijjar’s killing. Joly urged India to cooperate in the investigation for the benefit of both nations, underscoring the need for transparency and justice.
Joly’s comments come amid mounting international scrutiny, with Canada seeking the support of its allies in addressing what it describes as a serious breach of sovereignty. The RCMP’s involvement has added another layer to the case, as Ottawa maintains that the evidence points to foreign interference.
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India’s Firm Stance
India has strongly rejected Canada’s diplomatic communication suggesting that Indian officials, including the High Commissioner, are “persons of interest” in the investigation. In an official statement released on October 14, India dismissed these allegations as “preposterous imputations” and accused the Trudeau government of playing into domestic political agendas. New Delhi emphasized that the targeting of Indian diplomats and officials was unacceptable and warned against further actions that could undermine the relationship between the two countries.
India’s decision to expel Canadian diplomats and withdraw its own officials signals a deepening of the rift, with both sides showing no immediate signs of backing down. The standoff has not only strained bilateral relations but also cast a shadow on wider diplomatic ties between India and Western nations, with Canada calling on its allies, including the UK, for support.
The conversation between Trudeau and Starmer suggests that Canada is seeking to broaden international dialogue on the issue, potentially looking to the UK and other countries to lend their weight in navigating the fallout. With both India and Canada holding firm to their positions, the diplomatic crisis shows little sign of abating.
As tensions simmer, the international community is closely watching how the situation unfolds. The involvement of influential global leaders like Keir Starmer may offer a path toward de-escalation or, at the very least, help manage the impact of the growing rift on broader geopolitical relationships.
