Canada and India Expel Diplomats Amid Row Over Sikh Separatist Leader's Murder

Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat each following allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Indian agents may have been involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader.

Trudeau made the allegations in a speech to the House of Commons on Monday, saying that Canadian security agencies are "actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar."

Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. He was designated a "terrorist" by India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2020.

Trudeau's allegations have been met with a sharp denial from India, which has called them "absurd and motivated." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also asked a Canadian diplomat to leave India within the next five days.

"Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," the MEA said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected."

The expulsion of diplomats is a significant escalation of the row between Canada and India. The two countries have been close allies for many years, but relations have cooled in recent years over a number of issues, including human rights and trade.

The current row is likely to further strain relations between the two countries. It is also likely to raise concerns about the safety of Canadians in India, and the safety of Indians in Canada.

It is important to note that the allegations against India have not been proven. However, the fact that Canada has expelled a senior Indian diplomat suggests that it takes the allegations very seriously.

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The row comes at a time when Canada is already facing a number of foreign policy challenges, including its relationship with China and the ongoing war in Ukraine. It is unclear how the row with India will impact Canada's ability to address these other challenges.

However, it is clear that the row is a serious matter that could have a significant impact on relations between the two countries.