In the wake of recent allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of a Canadian citizen, the relationship between Canada and India has taken a sharp downturn. Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, brought forward what he called “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh independence activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. As a result of this escalating dispute, India’s visa processing center in Canada has suspended its services indefinitely.
The Allegations and Expulsions:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Parliament, shedding light on the alleged Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a wanted figure by Indian authorities for several years, was gunned down in June of this year outside the temple he led. Canada responded by expelling an Indian diplomat, and India retaliated by expelling a Canadian diplomat the following day. India dismissed the allegations as absurd and a tactic to divert attention from the presence of Nijjar and other wanted suspects in Canada.
India’s Visa Processing Center in Canada:
The BLS Indian Visa Application Center, responsible for processing visa requests for India in Canada, released an official notice stating the suspension of visa services until further notice due to operational reasons. The center did not provide any additional details regarding the suspension. The Indian External Affairs Ministry has refrained from commenting on the matter thus far.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the Khalistan Movement:
At the time of his assassination, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was deeply involved in organizing an unofficial referendum among the Sikh diaspora, advocating for independence from India. He vehemently denied India’s accusations of terrorism. The demand for an independent Sikh homeland, referred to as Khalistan, emerged as an insurgency in India’s Punjab state during the 1970s. However, the movement faced a severe crackdown by the Indian government, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. While the Khalistan movement has since waned in terms of political power, it still retains a substantial following among Punjab’s Sikh majority and the global Sikh diaspora.
The recent escalation of tensions between Canada and India, prompted by allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has had a significant impact on diplomatic relations. With Canada’s suspension of Indian visa processing services and the subsequent expulsions of diplomats by both countries, the rift between nations seems to be widening. As investigations continue and tensions persist, the fallout from this dispute is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the bilateral relationship between Canada and India.
Market Capital Research 