Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would not say whether his government intends to retaliate after India announced it would stop issuing visas for Canadians. Trudeau stated on September 21 that he called upon the government of India to take the allegations seriously and allow justice to follow its course. However, he remained vague about further details surrounding the allegations and how he plans to proceed with the relationship between the two countries.
Trudeau emphasized that Canada does not want to provoke or cause problems with India, as it is a country of growing importance and one with which Canada needs to continue working. On September 18, Trudeau made a declaration in the House of Commons, stating that there are credible allegations of potential links between the Indian government agents and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh secessionist and Canadian citizen. When asked if he regrets making this declaration, he repeated the allegations and mentioned the rigorous and independent justice system that will follow its course.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is currently investigating the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and has yet to press charges. Trudeau made the accusation without substantiation. The lack of specific details provided with this high-impact declaration has been criticized both domestically and internationally. Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has urged Trudeau to reveal all the facts before taking a stance on how to handle the situation with India. Furthermore, India stated that Canada has not shared any specific information regarding the allegations.
The Epoch Times attempted to contact the Prime Minister’s Office for comment but did not receive a response by publication time. When asked by reporters whether he would share the evidence, Trudeau did not directly respond, instead reiterating his trust in Canada’s rigorous and independent justice system. India has announced it has halted the issuance of all visas for Canadians, stating that Canada’s “inaction” regarding threats to Indian diplomatic missions has disrupted visa services. New Delhi also demanded that Canada reduce the number of its diplomats in the country to achieve parity, citing a perceived imbalance. In response, Global Affairs Canada stated it was reducing its presence due to security concerns. Additionally, India expelled a Canadian diplomat in retaliation for Ottawa’s expulsion of the head of the Research and Analysis Wing, India’s foreign intelligence service, from Canada.