On Monday, October 14th, Canada went all in, accusing India of involvement in “criminal activities” within its borders, including the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Yes, this is the same Canada, known for its snow, apologies, and maple syrup, now accusing India of something far more serious than its own problems with extremists under its nose.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), standing tall in their signature hats, claimed that India had a hand in these criminal activities. They said, in their grand declaration, that due to the considerable threat posed to public safety, they had no choice but to disclose details of an ongoing investigation. Interesting how public safety is suddenly a major concern for them now—where was this urgency when those pro-Khalistan elements were gathering steam over the years?

Now here’s where it gets a bit ironic. The RCMP, in a truly Canadian manner, clarified that India isn’t targeting the Sikh community as a whole but is focused on pro-Khalistani individuals. In doing so, they unintentionally admitted that Canada has become a safe haven for pro-Khalistan elements. Yes, the very individuals who are quite cozy within Canada’s borders, thanks to years of passive oversight, are now the subject of international tension. While India stays firm on its stance against terrorism, Canada seems to be grappling with the uncomfortable reality that it's hosting such elements—though, of course, the RCMP would rather focus the conversation on pointing fingers abroad.

During the press conference, the RCMP detailed the series of violent threats directed at the South Asian community in Canada, specifically those associated with the pro-Khalistani movement. These threats, involving homicides and extortions, have persisted despite the mighty efforts of Canadian law enforcement. One might wonder how long these threats have been floating around while law enforcement was busy… well, doing whatever else Mounties do.

But not to worry, folks! In February 2024, the RCMP assembled a multidisciplinary team to investigate these criminal activities, which they assert were “orchestrated” by agents of the Indian government. Quite the plot twist, isn't it? Apparently, the idea is to link all this unrest to external agents, making it seem like Canada is merely a victim of foreign interference. All while it continues to host pro-Khalistani rallies on its own soil.

Let’s just pause for a moment. Canada, in its attempt to shift the blame, shines a light on its own internal vulnerabilities. Pro-Khalistani threats, homicides, extortions—all of these are happening right there in the heart of the country. Yet, somehow, the focus is shifted away from domestic extremism and toward blaming India. The irony is palpable.

The RCMP’s narrative gives the impression that their real issue is not dealing with extremists at home, but rather trying to tie all these problems to a bigger global picture where they’re just the innocent bystanders. And of course, as always, when the going gets tough, they reach for their favorite card: Blame India.

The agency, taking its accusations a step further, claimed to have uncovered “direct links” between Indian diplomats in Canada and violent acts, including homicides. Yes, you heard that right—according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Indian diplomats, in their official capacity, were involved in clandestine activities. These diplomats were allegedly using their positions to gather intelligence on South Asian Canadians, with the ultimate goal of targeting them through criminal proxies. The RCMP’s narrative paints a dramatic picture of covert operations, where intelligence was supposedly gathered not through standard diplomatic channels but through coercion. Canadian individuals and businesses were reportedly threatened into cooperating with these Indian agents, forced into aiding these so-called secret activities.

But it doesn't stop there. The RCMP went on to claim that they, along with other Canadian officials, made several attempts to collaborate with Indian law enforcement agencies to address these concerns. India, however, refused to cooperate, according to the Canadian side of the story. In fact, Mark Flynn, Deputy Commissioner of Federal Policing, along with national security officials from Canada, held meetings with Indian representatives to present what they called evidence of Indian agents’ involvement in these clandestine activities. However, the meeting, as claimed by the RCMP, did not result in any cooperation from India, leaving the Canadians frustrated and pointing fingers across the ocean.

The RCMP outlined four significant concerns related to what they describe as India’s interference in Canada. First, they identified violent extremism affecting both countries. Second, they accused the Indian government of being linked to criminal acts. The third point raised was the alleged use of organised crime to create an unsafe environment for South Asians in Canada. Lastly, they talked about interference in Canada’s democratic processes. It’s quite the laundry list of accusations, none of which seem to put Canada in a particularly positive light either, but the blame, of course, is squarely aimed at India.

In an intriguing twist, the RCMP brought up the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which they claim is deeply involved in the criminal activities they’ve uncovered. According to the RCMP, the Indian government had been using Bishnoi’s associates within Canada to target Khalistani terrorists. The Canadian authorities are adamant about their findings, even going so far as to say, “It (India) is targeting South Asian community but they are specifically targeting pro-Khalistani elements in Canada…”. So, while the RCMP points fingers at India, they acknowledge that the real focus of these alleged operations is the pro-Khalistani individuals operating within Canadian borders.

Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin of the Federal Policing, National Security division of the RCMP added further fuel to the fire. She stated that from the RCMP’s perspective, India uses organised crime elements. In particular, she highlighted the Bishnoi Group, which she claimed has been publicly associated with these activities. Gauvin went on to say, “We believe that the group is connected to agents of the Government of India.” These are bold accusations, but they seem to fit into Canada’s larger narrative of portraying itself as the victim of external interference.

Washington Post named Home Minister Amit Shah as one of the officials involved in criminal activities

In a headline that sounds more like the plot of a political thriller, The Washington Post has thrown a wrench into the already frosty relations between India and Canada by accusing India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, of being involved in criminal activities. According to this Hollywood-esque report, Canadian officials are now pointing fingers at senior figures within the Indian government, alleging they masterminded a series of violent acts, including the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist. All this while Canada enjoys its peaceful, extremist-friendly atmosphere—because, of course, nothing says “freedom” like harboring separatists and then acting shocked when something goes wrong.

The Washington Post doesn’t hold back. It claims the accusations are supported by intercepted communications and newly gathered intelligence. Because, you know, nothing says “credible evidence” quite like shadowy, unnamed sources and covert spying on foreign diplomats.

Meanwhile, the Canadian government, not one to be outdone in this diplomatic spectacle, identified six Indian diplomats they say were busy gathering intelligence on Khalistani terrorists in Canada. One of those diplomats was none other than Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s High Commissioner to Canada. These diplomats were given the boot, presumably because Canada can’t have anyone keeping an eye on the pro-Khalistani extremists they so generously allow to operate on their soil. India, in a tit-for-tat move, expelled six Canadian diplomats, telling them to pack their bags by 20th October. After all, what's international diplomacy without a little mutual expulsion to spice things up?

Now, here’s where it gets fun. Canada has accused India of, wait for it, personally attacking their beloved Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Yes, folks, while Trudeau navigates Canada’s rough waters of economic mismanagement and rising extremist violence, he somehow finds the time to paint himself as the victim of personal attacks from halfway across the globe. Meanwhile, India, with a straight face, has denied any involvement in these so-called attacks. Instead, the Indian Government has brushed off the allegations as part of Trudeau’s political agenda, which at this point seems to be less about running Canada and more about stirring international drama.

According to The Washington Post, the RCMP has claimed they found evidence linking Indian diplomats to home invasions, shootings, and other killings in Canada. The Mounties insist that the intelligence collected by these diplomats found its way to India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), who, of course, did what every good intelligence agency apparently does in spy thrillers—hire criminal syndicates to get the job done. Because if there’s one thing Indian intelligence is known for, it’s outsourcing, right?

But the pièce de résistance of this entire affair is Amit Shah himself being named as one of the senior officials involved in these supposed criminal activities. And just when you think it couldn’t get any more surreal, WaPo tells us about a secret meeting in Singapore, where Canadian and Indian officials supposedly tried to iron out their issues. In this meeting, India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, allegedly admitted to surveillance activities—because who doesn’t enjoy a bit of snooping?—but firmly denied any link to violence. Apparently, even Doval had to draw the line somewhere, probably while chuckling at the absurdity of it all.

As this melodrama unfolds, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Canada is playing the long game here: first, pretend to be the innocent victim of international intrigue; then, accuse a foreign government of crimes while conveniently glossing over the fact that they’re offering safe haven to the very extremists who are causing the trouble. In response, India continues to deny everything, and really, who can blame them?

So, as both sides trade barbs and diplomats, the rest of the world watches, mildly entertained by Canada’s dedication to its newfound role in global theatre. Maybe the next chapter will include an international court case, or perhaps Trudeau will finally admit that allowing extremists to flourish within his own country wasn’t such a good idea after all. Either way, it’s bound to be entertaining.

Justin Trudeau blames India

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier issued a strong statement regarding the “ongoing investigation” into India’s alleged involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. In his address, Trudeau asserted that Canadian investigative agencies have uncovered credible evidence suggesting that the Indian government was directly involved in criminal activities within Canada. The allegations come hot on the heels of claims by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which stated earlier that India had supposedly used gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang to target Khalistani terrorists operating in Canada.

In a tone that suggested he wasn’t taking this lightly, Trudeau doubled down on his accusations, stating that the investigation conducted by Canadian law enforcement agencies and intelligence services revealed “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Prime Minister maintained that the Canadian authorities have shared this information with the Indian government and requested cooperation to bring clarity to what is rapidly turning into an international diplomatic crisis.

But Trudeau didn’t stop there. He further elaborated that the RCMP had presented compelling evidence which points to Indian agents being involved in covert information gathering and coercive behaviour, particularly targeting South Asian Canadians, with a specific focus on Sikhs who support the pro-Khalistani movement. The RCMP also alleged that India had been involved in over a dozen violent acts, including murders, on Canadian soil. Trudeau remarked that despite these discoveries, attempts by Canadian officials to collaborate with Indian law enforcement agencies were consistently met with refusals. It’s clear that in Trudeau’s eyes, India wasn’t keen on playing ball.

In response to what he described as a “continued refusal to cooperate” by Indian authorities, Trudeau announced that Canada has taken further diplomatic action by expelling six Indian diplomats who were allegedly implicated in these activities. The expulsions, he claimed, were a necessary step in asserting Canada’s stance that it “would not tolerate the involvement of a foreign government in threatening or killing Canadian citizens.”

As if to drive his point home, Trudeau made sure to include a statement that positioned Canada as the reasonable party in this escalating conflict. He called on India to cooperate with the investigation, stressing that Canada respects India’s sovereignty and expects the same respect in return. It’s a rather interesting juxtaposition—on one hand, Trudeau is accusing India of serious criminal activities, and on the other, he’s calling for mutual respect between the two nations.

Trudeau’s statement not only adds fuel to an already tense situation but also leaves the question: How long can this back-and-forth go on before one side decides to dial down the rhetoric? As it stands, both nations appear to be digging in their heels, with Canada continuing to push its narrative of Indian interference and India denying any involvement.

What’s clear is that this diplomatic drama is far from over. Trudeau's words suggest he’s committed to seeing this through, even if it means worsening the already fragile relations between the two countries. For now, the ball is in India’s court, and only time will tell how—or if—they’ll respond.

India expelled six Canadian diplomats

In a swift and decisive response to the allegations levelled by the Canadian government, India expelled six Canadian diplomats. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the diplomats asked to leave include Mr Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner, Mr Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary, Mr Ian Ross David Trites, First Secretary, Mr Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary, and Ms Paula Orjuela, First Secretary. The statement made it clear that these individuals were to leave India before 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

This diplomatic move by India came shortly after Canada expelled six Indian diplomats from its own territory. Justin Trudeau’s government took this step in response to India recalling its High Commissioner from Canada—a decision prompted by what India described as Trudeau's blatant support of Khalistani terrorists. Trudeau’s government has repeatedly accused India of being involved in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, yet despite over a year of these accusations, Canada has failed to provide any concrete proof to support its claims.

India, clearly fed up with the continued accusations, decided it was time to take action. The decision to recall India’s High Commissioner from Canada came after Trudeau’s government continued to peddle what India calls “baseless accusations” against Indian diplomats. With tensions rising, India hit back hard, calling the Canadian allegations “preposterous” and labeling them a “strategy of smearing India for political gains”. In India’s view, it is clear that Trudeau’s motives lie in securing votes from the pro-Khalistani community during Canada’s next election cycle. After all, nothing says “strategic thinking” quite like alienating a key global partner to win over a fraction of the electorate.

It’s not just about the diplomatic expulsions, though. India’s frustration seems to stem from Trudeau’s repeated attempts to blame India for the death of a man who was openly part of a terrorist organization, despite the lack of any credible evidence. For over a year, Trudeau has been pointing fingers at India for Nijjar’s death, yet his government has yet to produce any meaningful proof to back up these allegations. One can’t help but wonder if Trudeau’s scriptwriters need to come up with better material.

After India recalled its High Commissioner, Canada retaliated by asking six Indian diplomats to leave the country, further straining the diplomatic ties between the two nations. The tit-for-tat expulsions have not only escalated tensions but have also shone a spotlight on Trudeau’s controversial stance regarding the Khalistani terrorist movement. Canada’s unwavering support for Khalistani extremists has left India questioning whether there’s any room left for cooperation between the two countries, at least while Trudeau is at the helm.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs didn’t hold back in expressing its frustration. They pointed out that the allegations by Canada were nothing more than a political ploy designed to curry favor with a niche voter base. In a final blow, India emphasized that its decision to recall the High Commissioner was not just a response to unfounded accusations, but also a reflection of its growing impatience with Trudeau’s attempts to drag India into a political circus—one that seems to have no end in sight.

With diplomatic relations now at a low point, it remains to be seen how long this back-and-forth will continue. What’s certain is that the expulsions of these diplomats are just the latest chapter in a much larger, ongoing political saga between the two countries. The international community watches on, waiting to see if cooler heads will prevail, or if this will only be the beginning of further strained relations between India and Canada.