New Delhi says Canada’s accusations against Indian diplomats and their expulsion is a politically driven move to show action amid criticism Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has turned a blind eye to foreign interference.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs says the move is strategically timed to coincide with Trudeau’s appearance at the Foreign Interference Commission, which has been mainly focused on China’s meddling in Canada.
“Under criticism for turning a blind eye to foreign interference in Canadian politics, his Government has deliberately brought in India in an attempt to mitigate the damage,” the ministry said in a press release.
“This latest development targeting Indian diplomats is now the next step in that direction. It is no coincidence that it takes place as Prime Minister Trudeau is to depose before a Commission on foreign interference.”
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) announced the expulsion of six Indian diplomats and consular officials on Oct. 14, with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly referencing the killing of Canadian citizen and Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India expelled six Canadian diplomats on Oct. 14, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, following Ottawa’s announcement to deport the Indian diplomats. New Delhi also summoned the Canadian chargé d’affaires to express concern about Ottawa’s decision to expel the diplomats.
The RCMP said on the same day that it is taking the rare step of disclosing its investigations into “violent criminal activity” linked to agents of the Indian government. The RCMP did not directly mention Nijjar in its press release.
Trudeau said on Oct. 14 the RCMP’s announcement explains why his government is taking “significant measures” in expelling the diplomats.
“India made a fundamental error in thinking that they could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canadians here on Canadian soil, whether it be murders or extortion or other violent acts,” he said. “No country, particularly not a democracy, that upholds the rule of law, can accept this fundamental violation of its sovereignty.”
While the commission isn’t focused strictly on China, it was established in response to extensive intelligence leaks in the media about Chinese interference in Canadian democracy. The inquiry was launched following pressure from opposition parties.
The Epoch Times contacted the Prime Minister’s Office about India’s comments but didn’t receive a response by publication time. Global Affairs referenced its earlier statement about the expulsion of Indian diplomats but did not offer any additional comments.
Nijjar was killed by gunmen last June outside a gurdwara in B.C. while he was organizing an unofficial referendum for the creation of a Sikh state independent from India.
Months later, in September 2023, Trudeau said in the House of Commons that Canadian security agencies were investigating “credible allegations” that Indian government agents were potentially involved in Nijjar’s murder. India denied these allegations, calling them “absurd and motivated“ and subsequently recalled 41 diplomats.
Noé Chartier and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
