Vancouver: A Canadian commission’s recent report has found “no definitive link” to any foreign state in the shooting death of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which occurred outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. This finding, released amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, is a direct contradiction to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s earlier public accusations that the Indian government was involved in the assassination.
The Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, a 123-page study published on Tuesday, made the significant statement. The inquiry was launched as part of ongoing efforts to investigate foreign influence in Canadian democratic processes, but it notably did not support the claims of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s death.
Nijjar’s Death and Strained Relations
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the head of the Khalistan Tiger Force, was a prominent Sikh separatist figure, and his murder has since become a highly politicized issue. Nijjar’s killing, which took place outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, sent shockwaves through the diaspora community and set off a diplomatic crisis between India and Canada. Trudeau had publicly accused the Indian government of complicity in the murder, a statement that prompted swift backlash from New Delhi.
In response to the inquiry’s findings, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected any claims of involvement in Nijjar’s assassination and denounced the report’s broader insinuations. The MEA issued a statement saying, “We’ve seen a report on suspected interference-related activity. In actuality, Canada has been persistently meddling in India’s domestic affairs. This has also facilitated organized crime and illegal migration.”
The MEA’s statement stressed that India had no role in any foreign interference or election meddling in Canada. The Indian government expressed frustration with the continued accusations, particularly amidst what it claims is Canada’s failure to curb illegal migration and organized crime that could be linked to separatist groups.
Diplomatic Fallout
The implications of the Canadian commission’s findings are far-reaching. The report’s conclusion that there was no solid evidence linking the Indian state to Nijjar’s death contradicts the fiery rhetoric that has dominated the diplomatic scene between the two countries in recent months. The death of Nijjar, who was considered a key figure in the Khalistan movement, remains a point of major contention.
Following the murder, both India and Canada expelled diplomats, a move that significantly worsened bilateral relations. The latest report only adds fuel to the already simmering tension between the nations. Canada’s accusations against India have had a deep impact on relations, with both sides accusing each other of meddling in their internal affairs.
The Investigation and Its Ramifications
While the commission’s report has refuted Trudeau’s accusations regarding Indian involvement, the investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar remains inconclusive. As of now, Canadian authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators, and no new breakthroughs have been made public regarding the investigation.
The unresolved nature of the case has only intensified the political and diplomatic challenges between the two nations. With the commission’s report further complicating the matter, experts predict that the dispute may continue to influence broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly in relation to Canada’s foreign policy and its relationship with India.
As both countries continue to grapple with the fallout of Nijjar’s death and the resulting diplomatic crisis, the situation remains highly fluid, with both sides likely to face pressure from domestic and international stakeholders.