India outraged as Canada seeks to question its diplomats over Nijjar’s murder

The Narendra Modi government is furious with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after Canada issued a communiqué on Sunday night. Requesting India to waive diplomatic immunity for six Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, and allow them to be questioned by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police regarding the June 18, 2023, murder of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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India Stands Firm Against Canadian Demands Amid Diplomatic Tensions

India has withdrawn High Commissioner Sanjay Verma along with five other diplomats and accused Prime Minister Trudeau of tarnishing India’s image for vote bank politics in a written statement. Despite the ongoing tensions, the Modi government remains resolute, refusing to comply with Canada’s request. Signaling that further diplomatic escalation may be imminent as both nations aim to maintain diplomatic parity.

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Tensions Rise as Canada Serves Strongly Worded Communiqué to India

The Canadian communiqué was delivered to both New Delhi and the Indian High Commission in Ottawa. Using language reportedly harsher than that seen during the Cold War. This diplomatic message followed the burning of an effigy of High Commissioner Sanjay Verma in Vancouver on October 12 and alleged intimidation of Indian diplomats by pro-Khalistani activists. Meanwhile, the Canadian High Commission in Delhi is being managed by a Charge d’Affaires. As Ottawa has yet to appoint a new High Commissioner following the previous ambassador’s departure.

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Trudeau Escalates Diplomatic Dispute After Failing to Provide Evidence in Nijjar’s Murder Case

With the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) unable to find evidence implicating Indian agents in the murder of Khalistan Tiger Force terrorist Nijjar even after a year. Prime Minister Trudeau escalated the issue by confronting PM Narendra Modi at the ASEAN summit in Laos on October 11. PM Modi dismissed the approach, stating it was neither the time nor place for such discussions. Trudeau insisted on addressing unresolved issues, noting that the National Security Advisors of both countries were meeting the following day. The meeting in Singapore on October 12 saw India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval challenge his Canadian counterpart to either present evidence of Indian involvement or stop using the issue for vote bank politics. Following this tough exchange, Canada issued the controversial communiqué.

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