Trudeau Expels Indian Diplomat over Khalistan Leader’s Killing

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged that ‘foreign powers,’ including the Indian government, played a role in the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force terrorist group. Trudeau’s claim came after Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara’s parking lot in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen with roots in Punjab’s Bharsinghpur village, served as the president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

In response to the allegations, Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that her government would not tolerate any form of foreign interference and had expelled the Indian diplomat based on the principles of seeking the truth, protecting Canadians, and safeguarding Canada’s sovereignty. Trudeau emphasized that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of sovereignty and goes against the principles of free, open, and democratic societies.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had declared Nijjar an absconder, and Trudeau’s claims have led to increased tensions between Canada and India, particularly among the Indo-Canadian community.

Trudeau expressed the need for collaboration with India to uncover the truth behind Nijjar’s killing and emphasized that Canada’s commitment to seeking justice would not waver despite the challenges and concerns raised by the situation.

AFI