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The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh extremist, in Canada has sparked a diplomatic crisis between Canada and India. The Canadian government has accused India of being involved in the killing, which it alleges was an extrajudicial execution. India has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming a lack of evidence from Canada. The situation has led to a tense exchange of accusations and diplomatic expulsions, further straining relations between the two nations.
The Canadian investigation into Nijjar's death initially focused on retaliation for the murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik, a Sikh activist acquitted in the 1985 Air India bombing. However, evidence gathered through intelligence and policing work pointed towards a possible extra-judicial killing. This conclusion was based on the fact that Nijjar's killing was the second near a Gurudwara within a year, leading many in the Sikh community to believe it wasn't simply a tit-for-tat crime.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has publicly accused India of violating Canadian sovereignty and failing to cooperate with the investigation. He stated that intelligence from Canada and its Five Eyes allies indicated the involvement of Indian agents on Canadian soil. India's response to the accusations was a further escalation of attacks against the Canadian government, effectively doubling down on its denial of involvement. The naming of India's envoy to Ottawa as a person of interest in the investigation and the subsequent expulsion of diplomats from both countries marked a significant escalation of the diplomatic conflict. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has maintained its stance, asserting that the lack of evidence provided by Trudeau confirms their denial of any involvement in the killing.
The ongoing investigation into Nijjar's murder has revealed deep-seated mistrust and tension between Canada and India. The accusations of extra-judicial killing and the subsequent diplomatic fallout have created a challenging environment for both countries to navigate. The incident highlights the complexities of international relations, particularly when issues of national security, sovereignty, and allegations of foreign interference are at play. The resolution of this conflict will likely depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation, the willingness of both countries to engage in constructive dialogue, and their ability to overcome the current atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion.
Source: Ex-Canadian NSA reveals how police changed tack in Hardeep Nijjar killing probe