Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau escalated his accusations against India on Monday, claiming that the Indian government is “supporting criminal activity against Canadians” and engaging in “coercive behaviour targeting South Asian Canadians.” This comes amid a diplomatic standoff between the two nations, with both sides expelling diplomats following claims that Indian agents were linked to the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, in June last year.
India has strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as “absurd” and “motivated.” Despite forming a high-level committee to investigate, New Delhi has stated that Canada has yet to provide any concrete evidence to support the claims. Indian officials reiterated that the Trudeau administration has not shared any proof, despite repeated requests.
In a further escalation, Trudeau claimed that India has been working with organized crime elements in Canada to gather information on Canadian citizens through illegal means, which is then allegedly used to carry out violent actions such as extortion and murder.
Trudeau also noted that he had shared information regarding these accusations with Canada’s Five Eyes partners, especially the United States. As India expelled six Canadian diplomats, including the acting High Commissioner, Trudeau’s remarks mark a deepening of tensions between the two nations.
