In response to allegations of promoting anti-Indian sentiments that endanger Indian diplomats, Canadian authorities have acted swiftly by removing posters and billboards advocating harm to three Indian diplomats in Surrey.
The controversial posters initially appeared at a Gurdwara in Surrey, but they were promptly taken down after local authorities intervened. The removal followed a request from Canadian officials due to the severe implications and the negative image such posters projected when originating from Canadian soil. In addition, the Gurdwara has been advised not to use loudspeakers for radical announcements.
This incident underscores India’s long-standing concerns about unchecked anti-India activities in Canada, encompassing attacks on Hindus or Indians who do not support the Khalistan movement, as well as assaults on Indian temples and missions.
Of particular concern is the threat posed by the Sikh for Justice, a radical group, that has accused Indian diplomats of orchestrating the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), in the parking area of the Surrey Gurdwara in British Columbia on June 18.
This move by Canadian authorities marks their first action in the midst of deteriorating relations with India over allegations regarding New Delhi’s involvement in Nijjar’s murder. Is this because of India’s latest move to suspend Canadian Visas? Nevertheless, India has repeatedly emphasized its expectation that Canada adheres to the Vienna Convention and ensures the safety of its diplomats.
Meanwhile, a report from ‘The New York Times’ has revealed that the United States was unaware of the plot to kill Hardeep Singh Nijjar or any evidence linking India to it until Nijjar was killed. The report indicates that the US shared intelligence with Canada only after Nijjar’s death. However, intercepted communications by Ottawa were more conclusive and led to accusations against India for masterminding the plot.
In a significant development, the top US diplomat in Canada confirmed the existence of “shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners,” which prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusatory statement against India regarding the killing of a Khalistani extremist on Canadian soil.
India has vehemently dismissed these allegations as “absurd” and “motivated.” In response, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal action to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case. India has also accused Canada of providing refuge to terrorists.
‘The New York Times’ has reported that what appears to be the “smoking gun” — intercepted communications of Indian diplomats in Canada indicating involvement in the plot — was collected by Canadian officials, according to unnamed allied officials.
After Nijjar’s tragic death, American officials informed their Canadian counterparts that they had no prior information about the plot and that they would have immediately notified Ottawa if they had, adhering to the intelligence agencies’ “duty to warn” doctrine.
According to witnesses, the gunmen who killed Nijjar were dressed in black with hoods and black medical masks covering their faces. One of them dropped a blue medical glove, which was later recovered by the police. They fired between 30 to 50 shots at their victim. Back in India, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated the confiscation of properties belonging to “designated individual terrorists” residing in Canada, such as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The government has instructed investigative agencies to identify the properties of other terrorists residing abroad, with the intention of confiscating their assets and canceling their Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) to prevent them from entering India.
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