The rift in relations between India and Canada over the murder of Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar is now widening. India has decided to expel six Canadian diplomats. He has been given only five days time to leave New Delhi. Following Canada’s new allegations of involvement of Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma in Nijjar’s murder, India has indicated that it is going to take a tougher stance against the Justin Trudeau government and Canada for making baseless allegations.
Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs have said that on one hand India has decided to recall its High Commissioner and all diplomats and officials from Canada and on the other hand it has also decided to take retaliatory measures against Canada. By summoning the Canadian High Commissioner in-charge, India had indicated that the road ahead was not going to be easy for it. Sources said that it reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau government’s support to extremism, religious violence-mania and separatism against India.
According to sources, there is also discussion that India may not approve the appointment of its High Commissioner. Currently Stewart Wheeler is in-charge of the Canadian Mission in New Delhi. He is not a full time High Commissioner. Canada has appointed Christopher Cooter as High Commissioner to Delhi, over which clouds of doubt are looming. The post has been vacant since Cameron Mackay left New Delhi in June.
India and Canada have been at loggerheads since last year but relations hit a new low after Canada linked Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma as a ‘person of interest’ in its recent investigation into the Nijjar murder case. In a communication shared with India, Canada accused Verma of being involved in Nijjar’s murder case, which India rejected outright and termed it as baseless and fabricated. The Indian Foreign Ministry strongly opposed Canada’s stance and termed it unacceptable.
After this, the Indian Foreign Ministry summoned the Canadian High Commissioner in charge in New Delhi on Monday evening and informed him about India’s side. Along with this, India has decided to recall its diplomats and officials from Canada saying that we have no confidence in the commitment of the present Canadian government to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada.
