Aakhir Tak – In Shorts
- India withdrew its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and other senior officials from Canada on Monday.
- The move followed Canada naming Indian diplomats as ‘persons of interest’ in the investigation of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder.
- The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the actions of the Trudeau Government endangered the safety of Indian diplomats amid rising extremism and violence.
Aakhir Tak – In Depth
India and Canada’s diplomatic row has intensified, with India withdrawing its High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, along with other senior diplomats and officials, on Monday. This decision came in response to Canada naming Indian High Commissioner Verma and other officials as ‘persons of interest’ in the investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Canadian Government’s actions have placed the safety of Indian diplomats at risk, especially in an atmosphere where extremism and violence are rampant. India expressed its strong objection to the Trudeau Government’s support for separatism and extremism, claiming that it has lost faith in Canada’s ability to ensure diplomatic safety. As a result, India chose to withdraw its diplomats.
Earlier, Canada’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, Stewart Wheeler, was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to address this issue. Wheeler, after the meeting, mentioned that India must investigate Ottawa’s evidence thoroughly, asserting that both countries must collaborate to uncover the truth. He further added that Canada remains ready to cooperate with India.
India, however, responded strongly to Canada’s allegations, terming them “baseless and politically motivated.” The Ministry of External Affairs noted that despite repeated requests, Canada failed to provide any evidence linking Indian agents to Nijjar’s killing. This diplomatic rift traces back to last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government agents of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar. India firmly rejected these allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.”
