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The deepening diplomatic row between Canada and India has escalated, with the United Kingdom joining its Five Eyes intelligence partners in calling for India’s cooperation with Canada’s legal process. This call comes amidst serious allegations made by Canadian authorities accusing Indian agents, including the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, of involvement in the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June 2023. Canada has accused India of a broader effort to target Indian dissidents within its borders, a claim India vehemently denies.
Following the allegations, India retaliated by ordering the expulsion of six high-ranking Canadian diplomats, including the acting High Commissioner. This escalation has led to heightened tensions between the two nations and sparked international concern. The British Foreign Office, in a statement, expressed full confidence in Canada’s judicial system and deemed India’s cooperation with Canada’s legal process as the necessary next step. This statement follows a phone call between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where they discussed the ongoing investigations and agreed on the importance of upholding the rule of law.
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, in his most detailed remarks on the matter, referred to the assassination of Nijjar as a “massive mistake” that Canada cannot allow to pass without consequences. While acknowledging the significance of the Canada-India relationship, Trudeau highlighted the need for accountability and a clear resolution to the allegations. He revealed that Canadian officials had raised concerns directly with Indian counterparts during the G20 summit, outlining their belief that Indian security agencies were involved in Nijjar’s killing. Despite Canada’s attempts to engage with India, Trudeau reported a lack of willingness from Indian officials to address the issue head-on.
The allegations extend beyond the murder of Nijjar, with Canadian authorities claiming that Indian diplomats have worked with criminal gangs to orchestrate a wider campaign of extortion, intimidation, and coercion against members of the Canadian South Asian community. This has resulted in various incidents, including homicides, home invasions, drive-by shootings, and arson. These claims have further intensified the diplomatic fallout between Canada and India, prompting other Five Eyes members to express their concerns and call for a transparent resolution. The US, while not commenting directly on the substance of the allegations, has voiced its desire for India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation, highlighting their concerns about the Indian government’s chosen path.
The UK’s involvement in the ongoing diplomatic row comes at a time when it also faces its own diplomatic challenges with India concerning the continued detention of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British man who has been held in India since 2017. Johal, facing a potential death sentence, has been deemed arbitrarily detained by the UN working group on arbitrary detention. The UK’s stance in this case underscores its commitment to upholding the rights of its citizens abroad and its expectation that other countries respect the rule of law and international norms. The situation surrounding the India-Canada diplomatic row remains complex and fluid, with the international community closely monitoring the developments and calling for a peaceful and just resolution.
Source: UK calls for India to cooperate with Canada’s legal process as row deepens