- By Anushka Vats
- Thu, 21 Sep 2023 08:42 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Indian government issued an advisory asking its nationals in Canada, especially students, to exercise "utmost caution" as ties deteriorate after each nation expelled one of the other's diplomats in an escalating row over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader. Following the advisory, Canada's Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc on Wednesday said that 'Canada is a safe country', as quoted by Reuters.
The remark came after the Indian government on Wednesday advised all of its nationals living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes as well as "criminal violence" in that country.
Canada PM Justin Trudeau (Image Credits: Reuters)
The advisory came amid the growing tensions between India and Canada over the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalaistani separatist. Let's take a look at what has happened so far:
Canada Expells Top Indian Diplomat
Canada on September 18 expelled a top Indian diplomat and said it was "actively pursuing credible allegations" linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia on June 18.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during an emergency session of the parliament on Monday claimed that his government had "credible allegations" linking Indian agents to the killing of the Khalistan Tiger Force chief and in retaliation dismissed New Delhi's intelligence chief in Ottawa.
India Rejects Trudeau's Accusations
India on Tuesday rejected all the allegations and called it 'absurd' and 'motivated'. MEA in an official statement said, "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated. Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected."
India Expels Canadian Envoy After Allegations Over Khalistani Terrorist's Death
India on Tuesday summoned Canadian High Commissioner to India, Cameron MacKay after Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat, alleging the Indian government's links to the death of Khalistani supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The high commissioner was informed of India's decision to expel one of the Canadian envoys in a tit-for-tat move.
'India Should Cooperate In Probe': US
The White House is "deeply concerned" about allegations that Indian agents were potentially involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada and encourages India to cooperate in any investigation, national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.
(With inputs from agency)
