by Arnaob Baidya 21 September 2023
Diaspora politics is a realm characterized by its intricacy and potential for volatility. In this complex arena, the narrative crafted by the homeland, driven by domestic considerations, may not necessarily align with the viewpoints held by its diaspora community dispersed across the globe. While certain nations, notably China and Iran, have gained notoriety for their proactive approaches to monitoring and influencing their overseas citizens, India has traditionally adopted a more discreet and inconspicuous stance in this regard. However, recent events have served to challenge India’s historical stance of subtlety. On September 18, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a significant revelation. He publicly disclosed “credible allegations” regarding the involvement of agents operating on behalf of the Indian government in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was a vocal advocate for the creation of an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan. Since 2020, Indian authorities had classified him as a terrorist. Tragically, Nijjar was shot to death on June 18 while alone in his truck outside the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police continue to investigate this chilling incident.
The fact that Trudeau deemed it necessary to openly discuss such allegations underscores the seriousness of the situation. Furthermore, the expulsion of Pavan Kumar Rai, who served as the head of India’s foreign intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), by Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly serves as a direct consequence of these allegations. Trudeau, in his statement to the House, highlighted that Canadian security agencies had been actively pursuing links between New Delhi and Nijjar’s death. He emphasized Canada’s foremost priorities in this matter: ensuring the ongoing safety of all Canadians and taking all necessary steps to hold those responsible for this murder accountable. Importantly, Trudeau also disclosed that this matter had been raised during discussions with Indian President Narendra Modi at the G20 summit.
Trudeau proceeded to reiterate the standard protocols that had been violated in such cases. He emphasized that “any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.” Such actions are contrary to the fundamental principles by which free, open, and democratic societies operate. Canada’s position on extra-judicial operations in foreign countries, Trudeau asserted, is unequivocally aligned with international law. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc contributed further context regarding communication between Ottawa and New Delhi. He noted that the national security and intelligence adviser to the prime minister, along with the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), had embarked on several trips to India in recent weeks. Their objective was to engage with their Indian counterparts and confront the intelligence agencies with these allegations.