India’s counterattack as Canada maintains its charge: 10 points

1. Justin Trudeau today reiterated his accusation that “agents of the Indian government” were involved in the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who was a wanted terrorist in India. He said there was “credible reason to believe so”, but provided no evidence.

2. India angrily rejected the allegation and pointed to “politically sanctioned hate crimes and criminal violence” in Canada. The government said Canada has not shared any information regarding Nijjar’s killing.

3. India has also alleged “Canadian diplomatic interference” in its internal affairs and sought to reduce the number of Canadian diplomats working in the country. The Department of Foreign Affairs has said that Canada’s diplomatic presence in India is larger than India’s and must be reduced.

4. The government has suspended visa services to Canada citing “security threats” that prevent their agents from carrying out their visa duties. “You are aware of the security threats facing our high commissions and consulates in Canada… this has disrupted their normal functioning,” the foreign ministry said.

5. The diplomatic row erupted on Tuesday, with both countries expelling senior diplomats and issuing travel advisories. India has asked its citizens living in Canada and those traveling there to exercise “utmost caution” in the face of increasing anti-India activities.

6. The two countries saw tensions after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reprimanded Trudeau at the G20 summit in Delhi over attacks by Khalistan supporters on Indian diplomatic missions in Canada. A few days later, Canada postponed a trade mission to India, scheduled for October.

7. Relations between India and Canada hit a new low after Trudeau linked “Indian agents” to the Nijjar shooting outside a gurdwara in Surrey. Providing no evidence, he said his government had “credible allegations” on the matter. India has rejected the accusation, calling it “absurd.”

8. The United States said it was in contact with India and Canada on this issue and that both countries were important in this regard. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the United States supports the efforts in the investigation and that the perpetrators must be held accountable.

9. Voices within the country remain united on this issue. The opposition Congress supported the government and said the country’s interests and concerns must remain paramount at all times. Parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor said there was no evidence of any government agency linked to the terrorist’s killing.

10. Canada is one of the favored hubs for expatriate Sikhs, where extremism has increased in recent years. Recent months have seen multiple Khalistani activities in Canada, including protests in front of the Indian embassy and threatening posters aimed at Indian diplomats.

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