The diplomatic rift between India and Canada continues to escalate following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent admission that Khalistani supporters are present in Canada, though he quickly clarified they do not represent the Sikh community at large. Trudeau's comments, made during Diwali celebrations at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, came amidst growing tensions between the two nations over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist, in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.

The conflict deepened after Trudeau's allegation that Indian government agents might have been involved in Nijjar's murder, a claim that India has strongly denied. During his Diwali speech, Trudeau remarked, “There are many supporters of Khalistan in Canada, but they do not represent the Sikh community as a whole," drawing a parallel with the presence of Modi supporters who also do not represent all Hindu Canadians. This comment came just days after violent clashes outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Ontario, between pro-Khalistan protesters and worshippers, which Trudeau condemned, asserting the right of every Canadian to practice their faith freely.

India, meanwhile, has consistently rejected Canada's claims and accused Trudeau's government of pandering to pro-Khalistan elements for political gain. Canada, however, has provided no hard evidence linking Indian officials to Nijjar’s killing. In a recent inquiry, Trudeau admitted that Canada lacked "hard evidentiary proof" and that his government had relied on intelligence, not conclusive evidence, to accuse India of involvement.

As tensions mount, India has called on Canada to take stronger action against Khalistani extremists operating within its borders, emphasizing that these groups pose a serious threat to India's security.

The diplomatic rift between India and Canada continues to escalate following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent admission that Khalistani supporters are present in Canada, though he quickly clarified they do not represent the Sikh community at large. Trudeau's comments, made during Diwali celebrations at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, came amidst growing tensions between the two nations over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist, in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.

The conflict deepened after Trudeau's allegation that Indian government agents might have been involved in Nijjar's murder, a claim that India has strongly denied. During his Diwali speech, Trudeau remarked, “There are many supporters of Khalistan in Canada, but they do not represent the Sikh community as a whole," drawing a parallel with the presence of Modi supporters who also do not represent all Hindu Canadians. This comment came just days after violent clashes outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Ontario, between pro-Khalistan protesters and worshippers, which Trudeau condemned, asserting the right of every Canadian to practice their faith freely.

India, meanwhile, has consistently rejected Canada's claims and accused Trudeau's government of pandering to pro-Khalistan elements for political gain. Canada, however, has provided no hard evidence linking Indian officials to Nijjar’s killing. In a recent inquiry, Trudeau admitted that Canada lacked "hard evidentiary proof" and that his government had relied on intelligence, not conclusive evidence, to accuse India of involvement.

As tensions mount, India has called on Canada to take stronger action against Khalistani extremists operating within its borders, emphasizing that these groups pose a serious threat to India's security.