In an escalation of diplomatic tensions, Canada has notified the Indian government that its high commissioner in Ottawa, along with other diplomats, are now regarded as “persons of interest” in the ongoing investigation into the June 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan Canadian national, in British Columbia.
The development, which has strained already fragile bilateral relations, signals a new phase in the inquiry into Nijjar’s killing and could push the two countries' relations to the brink of collapse.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reacted sharply to Canada’s move, denouncing it as politically motivated. The MEA categorically rejected the allegations and attributed them to a broader political agenda of the Trudeau government, accusing it of using the investigation for electoral gains.
According to the MEA, this latest move is part of an ongoing effort by the Canadian government to target Indian diplomats for political purposes, under the guise of pursuing an investigation into Nijjar’s death.
The term “person of interest” in Canadian law generally refers to someone believed to be connected to a crime, or who may have information pertinent to the investigation. However, such individuals have not been formally accused or charged. The MEA’s statement today revealed that Canada’s diplomatic communication informing India of this designation was received on October 13.
This latest development follows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's public statements in September 2023, alleging credible intelligence linking Indian officials to the assassination of Nijjar. At the time, Trudeau's government had reportedly attempted to address the issue privately with India, but the allegations became public following leaks to the media.
Canadian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison, have claimed that the leaks forced Trudeau to make a statement in Parliament.
The accusation that Indian diplomats are now part of the investigation represents a significant deepening of the diplomatic rift between the two countries. The MEA's strong response is notable for its direct attack on Trudeau, accusing him of personal hostility towards India.
The statement recalled Trudeau's past actions that were seen as interfering in Indian domestic politics, such as his controversial visit to India in 2018, his cabinet’s alleged connections to pro-separatist groups, and his involvement in supporting farmers’ protests in India in 2020.
The MEA also pointed out that the Trudeau government’s political survival depends on support from the New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh, a prominent advocate for the Khalistan separatist movement. The NDP’s support has allowed Trudeau’s minority Liberal government to maintain power in Canada's House of Commons. However, Singh recently announced that his party would withdraw its support for the government, further complicating the political landscape.
In its latest response, the MEA implied that the Canadian government’s accusations against Indian diplomats are part of an effort to deflect criticism over foreign interference in Canadian politics. The MEA claimed that Canada has allowed extremist and separatist elements to operate within its borders under the pretext of protecting free speech, resulting in harassment and threats against Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada.