Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken steps to ease tensions with India amidst a growing dispute and mounting criticism from Indian officials. Trudeau clarified that Canada is not trying to provoke India by suggesting its agents were linked to the murder of a Khalistani terrorist, but Ottawa wants New Delhi to address the issue properly.
“The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that, we are not looking to provoke or escalate,” he told reporters. Earlier in the day, India dismissed the Canadian government’s accusations as absurd.
In a reciprocal move, India has expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in response to Trudeau’s claims that India played a role in the June killing of a Khalistani terrorist and the expulsion of an Indian diplomat from Canada. The diplomat, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been given a five-day period to leave the country.
The Canadian Prime Minister yesterday said his government had “credible allegations” linking Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing with the “agents of the Government of India”. The Indian government rejected the allegation as “absurd and motivated”.
This dispute not only strains diplomatic relations but also jeopardises trade ties, as discussions on a proposed trade agreement had already been frozen the previous week. New Delhi has expressed dissatisfaction with Sikh separatist activities taking place in Canada, further complicating the bilateral relationship.
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