Introduction
In a follow-up to ongoing investigations into the role of Indian government agents in the extraterritorial and extrajudicial killings, both the U.S. and Canada publicized new information. Canada, on 14 October, 2024 disclosed a broader network of Indian government personnel, including top diplomat Sanjay Kumar Verma and consular officials in Toronto.[1] Upon the release of this information, relations between New Delhi and Ottawa plunged to new lows as the two countries expelled six diplomats each, including their respective high commissioners.
Providing evidence to the investigations, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Canada, Mélanie Joley, stated that an ongoing investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had gathered information that established credible and irrefutable links between the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar last June and the Indian government agents. [2] Canada also accused Indian Home Minister Amit Shah – Prime Minister Modi’s close confidant – for ordering the campaign targeting the Sikhs.[3] The Indian government termed these statements as ‘absurd’ and ‘baseless,’ and warned that such actions have high consequences for bilateral relations.[4] The alleged role of Indian diplomats and Home Minister purportedly discloses the involvement of high level of Indian government in masterminding. However, the dirty work appears to be done by Indian government agents and their accomplices.
