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The strained relationship between India and Canada took a dramatic turn when Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, was recalled following accusations of involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In a recent interview, Verma detailed the harrowing experience of facing threats and intimidation from Khalistani activists during his time in Canada. He described incidents ranging from verbal abuse and effigy burning to physical threats, highlighting the precarious nature of his position and the challenges faced by Indian diplomats in the face of extremist elements.
Verma recounted an incident in Alberta where he was approached by individuals wielding swords, their intentions clearly hostile. Despite the presence of both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local police, Verma found himself perilously close to harm. He also detailed other forms of intimidation, such as threats via email, disruptive protests in front of Indian consulates, and slogans shouted at public events. Verma questioned whether these acts constituted hate speech, especially considering the burning of his effigy as Ravan during Diwali and the display of a poster riddled with bullets bearing his image.
Verma's experience underscores the growing threat posed by Khalistani extremism in Canada and its potential to undermine diplomatic relations. While he maintains that he never felt personally threatened and acknowledges the professionalism of Canadian security forces, he expressed disappointment with the RCMP's response to his reports of harassment. Despite providing detailed accounts of intimidation, Verma received no feedback regarding investigations into these incidents, leaving him to believe that his reports may have been ignored. Verma's account highlights the challenges faced by Indian diplomats in confronting extremism and the need for robust security measures and effective law enforcement to address these threats. The ongoing tensions between India and Canada underscore the importance of diplomatic dialogue and cooperation in addressing these issues to prevent further escalation and protect the safety of diplomatic personnel.