India Canada News Highlights: Security stepped up outside Canadian High Commission in Delhi, say police

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• Sep 19, 2023 10:38 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Congress's Gaurav Gogoi on Nijjar killing row- ‘Canada needs to dial it down’

  Canadian politics has turned a bizarre turn in the past few years. This is statement of Opposition candidate for the position of Prime Minister. It shows how pandering to local voters can dent the strategic interests of a country on the global stage. Canada needs to dial it down. https://t.co/J65Sbi8EVj

  — Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) September 19, 2023

• Sep 19, 2023 09:48 PM IST

  Canada worked closely with US on India's possible link to Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing: Report

  Canada worked 'very closely' with the United States on intelligence that Indian agents had been potentially involved in the murder of a Sikh man in British Columbia earlier this year, a senior Canadian government source said on Tuesday, reported Reuters.

  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that domestic intelligence agencies were actively pursuing credible allegations tying New Delhi's agents to the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in British Columbia in June.

  "We've been working with the U.S. very closely including on the public disclosure yesterday," the source said. The evidence in Canada's possession would be shared "in due course", said the official who did not give a name due to the sensitivity of the information.

• Sep 19, 2023 08:46 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: ‘Will never allow creation of Khalistan,’ says chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF)

  “We will never allow creation of Khalistan. I want to tell these handful of people that this is today's India - beware. We won't tolerate that our whole Sikh community is being shown in bad light on directions from a 'broke' Pakistan,” MS Bitta, chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF), told PTI on India-Canada diplomatic row.

• Sep 19, 2023 08:22 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Security stepped up outside Canadian High Commission in Delhi, say police

  Amid a diplomatic dust-up between India and Canada, officials said security was increased outside the High Commission of Canada on Tuesday in central Delhi as a "precautionary measure".

  Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat each after a row erupted over the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in June in Canada, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" and New Delhi outrightly rejecting the charge as "absurd" and "motivated

  A senior police officer said, "The personnel of Delhi Police, along with the paramilitary, have been deployed as a precautionary measure outside the High Commission." (PTI)

• Sep 19, 2023 08:05 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh dismisses Canada's charges of India's link in Khalistani leader's murder

  Former Punjab Chief Minister and BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday dismissed the claims made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that there was an Indian hand in the murder of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey Gurdwara in June this year.

  He said that the murder was the result of a factional feud within the management of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, Surrey in Canada. The former Punjab Chief Minister said that Canadian PM Trudeau had unfortunately walked into a trap owing to vote bank politics and put at stake the diplomatic relationship between India and Canada.

• Sep 19, 2023 07:20 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Britain to continue trade talks with India despite 'serious allegations'

  Britain will continue trade talks with India despite allegations from Canada that the Indian government was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader on its soil, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said on Tuesday, reported Reuters.

  Britain was in touch with Canada about the "serious allegations" but said it would not have an impact on trade talks with India, the spokesperson said.

  Sunak is hoping to finalise a free trade deal with India as Britain looks to establish its credentials as an independent trading nation after leaving the European Union.

  Both sides have hinted at progress in recent months after a slow start to talks, raising hopes a deal could be completed ahead of elections due in both countries next year.

• Sep 19, 2023 06:58 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Workers of Dogra Front staged a protest in Jammu, against Canadian PM Justin Trudeau

  #WATCH | J&K: Workers of Dogra Front staged a protest in Jammu, against Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.
  
  Canada today expelled an Indian diplomat after PM Trudeau claims Indian hand in the killing of Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar. pic.twitter.com/mVqMPuKO01

  — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2023

  Workers of Dogra Front staged a protest in Jammu, against Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.

• Sep 19, 2023 06:03 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi reacts, says ‘…Qubec Banega Khalistan’

  In a Twitter post, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “Trudeau's defense of declared terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar is absolutely shameful & shows how much the present Canadian regime is in bed with Khalistani Sympathisers. Keep going this way & Qubec Banega Khalistan.”

• Sep 19, 2023 05:47 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: ‘This could deepen the crack in the partnership between Canada and India,’ says senior journalist

  The statement made by the Canadian PM in Parliament that there is "credible information" (on the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar) will have to be decoded. We have to see if the PM of Canada and his party will be able to give an answer to this...This could deepen the crack in the partnership between Canada and India: Sameer Kaushal, senior Canadian journalist on Canada expelling Indian diplomat told ANI.

  India has rejected Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegations on the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and expelled a top Canadian diplomat in India

• Sep 19, 2023 04:22 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Actor Ranvir Shorey says he is worried for Punjabi Hindus after Trudeau's ‘irresponsible’ allegations 

  Actor Ranvir Shorey posted on X, “At this moment, I worry for the Punjabi Hindu community in #Canada. PM @JustinTrudeau has put their lives at grave risk by his irresponsible statements.”

• Sep 19, 2023 03:49 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: ‘We are not enemies but Trudeau makes it look as if we are…’ says Former R&AW Chief Vikram Sood

  On India-Canada Row, Former R&AW Chief Vikram Sood told ANI, "Things like this happen between two countries. There is a dispute or an argument on certain issues... Two sovereign nations must talk about things. But this man (Justin Trudeau) has just gone around and decided that he has to do it like this. His visit to India in G20, he wasn't very happy with that, nor was he with his 2018 visit... If you have relations, you maintain them. Go by the laid down principles if you are a friendly country. We are not enemies but he makes it look as if we are..."

• Sep 19, 2023 03:25 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Who was Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar? 

  Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the then chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was one of the most wanted terrorists in India and major headache for Indian agencies before his killing by two unknown assailants on June 18 outside a Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

  A key functionary in the Khalistani network, Nijjar, 46, had been declared an “individual terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in July 2020.

  Not only he was involved in multiple cases of targeted killings in Punjab and funding of secessionist activities, he was actively involved in instigating the youngsters to carry out anti-India activities and was in touch with Pakistani agents.

• Sep 19, 2023 03:16 PM IST

  ‘Canadian govt under pressure from from Khalistan; did nothing for Indian cause’

  It was quite evident from the NSA level meetings that the Canadian government was under pressure from Khalistan supporters and would do little to help the Indian cause. This was despite the fact that Khalistan supporters with the help of US based Sikhs For Justice, proscribed under UAPA, were openly threatening to assassinate Indian top diplomats posted in Canada with photographs of the Indian Ambassador and two Consul Generals splashed on posters and a reward on their heads.

  Instead of taking on the Khalistan radicals, drug runners and gangsters from Punjab taking shelter in Canada either under fake Portuguese passports or cooking up stories of political discrimination of Sikhs in India, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday came out openly in support of the radicals by blaming unidentified Indian agents for being involved in the killing of terrorist Nijjar outside a radical place of worship in Surrey, Vancouver. Read this detailed story on India Canada relations here

• Sep 19, 2023 02:30 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: India read the riot act to the Canadian NSA during the G-20 summit

  Days after chief of proscribed Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) Hardeep Singh Nijjar was gunned down by unidentified men in Vancouver on June 18, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar went on record stating that rise of so-called Khalistan politics was driven by “vote bank politics” in Canada.

  During the G-20 summit, the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval engaged his Australian, UK and Canadian counterparts over the rise of Sikh fundamentalism and violence against Indian assets in their respective countries. It is understood that the Australian NSA and the UK NSA reacted positively to Indian concerns but the Canadian NSA was unfazed as the New Democratic party of Khalistan supporter Jagmeet Singh supports the minority Justin Trudeau government.

• Sep 19, 2023 01:17 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Australia ‘deeply concerned’ over Trudeau's allegations

  A spokesperson for Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong said Canberra’s concerns had been conveyed to New Delhi at “senior levels”.

  “Australia is deeply concerned by these allegations and notes ongoing investigations into this matter,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Australia believes all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law.”

  The spokesperson said, “We are closely engaged with partners on developments. We have conveyed our concerns at senior levels to India.”

  The spokesperson further said these “reports will be particularly concerning to some Australian communities” and pointed to the importance of free speech. “The Indian diaspora are valued and important contributors to our vibrant and resilient multicultural society, where all Australians can peacefully and safely express their views,” the spokesperson added. Read more

• Sep 19, 2023 01:02 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Canadian envoy to India brushes away media after high-tension meeting with MEA. Watch

  Moments before India officially expelled a top Canadian diplomat after the row over Justin Trudeau's allegation of New Delhi's role in killing of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, High Commissioner of Canada to India Cameron Mackay was summoned by the government to have a meeting over the matter. Soon after Trudeau's remark, Canadian foreign minister expelled an Indian diplomat who alleged to have been involved in the killing.

  In a video released by news agency ANI, Mackay was seen gruffly marching towards his vehicle right after coming out from the Union foreign ministry office following a tense meeting. Watch here

• Sep 19, 2023 12:34 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: UK in close touch with Canada over ‘serious allegation’

  Britain said on Tuesday it was in close touch with its Canadian partners about "serious allegations" from Ottawa that the Indian government was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.

  "We are in close touch with our Canadian partners about these serious allegations," a government spokesperson said.

  "It would be inappropriate to comment further during the ongoing investigation by the Canadian authorities."

  Canada said on Monday it was "actively pursuing credible allegations" that linked Indian government agents to Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder in British Columbia in June.

• Sep 19, 2023 12:14 PM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: This is not the first time India summoned Canadian High Commissioner over pro-Khalistan drive

  In March, the Modi government summoned the Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi to complain about Sikh independence protests in Canada. In 2020, India's foreign ministry also summoned the top diplomat over comments made by Trudeau about an agricultural protest movement associated with the state of Punjab, where many Sikhs live.

• Sep 19, 2023 11:38 AM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Congress backs India's stand on Canada claim

  Congress has always believed that the country's fight against terrorism has to be uncompromising, said Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India could be linked to the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force Chief Hardeep Nijjar on Tuesday.

  "The Indian National Congress has always believed that our country's fight against terrorism has to be uncompromising, especially when terrorism threatens India's sovereignty, unity and integrity. Our country's interests and concerns must be kept paramount at all times," Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

  Meanwhile, Congress leader and spokesperson Udit Raj alleged that the incident was a "diplomatic failure" of the Indian government. Read more

• Sep 19, 2023 11:24 AM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Who is the expelled top official from Canada?

  The expelled ‘top diplomat’ has been identified as Canadian intelligence agency chief in India Olivier Sylvestere

• Sep 19, 2023 11:07 AM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: When did pro-Khalistan movement emerge in Canada?

  The history of pro-Khalistan movement in Canada goes back close to 45 years. 

  1.  Immigration of Sikhs into Canada started in the first decade of the 20th century. Soldiers in the British Army passing through British Columbia were attracted by the fertile land they saw. By the 1970s, Sikhs were a visible section of Canadian society.
  2.  There was scant sentiment regarding a Sikh homeland. That changed in the 1970s.
  3.  As India conducted the Pokhran nuclear tests in Rajasthan in May 1974, it left the Canadian Government furious because the CANDU type reactors, provided by Canada for peaceful nuclear energy, had been repurposed for military use. The anger of then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, father of the incumbent, caused diplomatic ties to wither.
  4.  Unfortunately, that came as the Khalistan movement in Punjab was gaining prominence.
  5.  With generational ties to Canada, many Sikhs sought refugee status in Canada citing political persecution. Suddenly, there was an influx of Khalistanis into a country that did little to curb their separatism because of the poor relationship.
  6.  Among those who made their base in Canada, was Talwinder Singh Parmar, considered the mastermind of the terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182, the Kanishka. Based in the town of Burnaby in British Columbia, Parmar also headed the Babbar Khalsa International.

  Read here to know more

• Sep 19, 2023 10:49 AM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: Top Canadian diplomat expelled in response to Trudeau govt action

  Union external affairs ministry statement:

  The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days.

  The decision reflects Government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.

• Sep 19, 2023 10:17 AM IST

  India Canada News Live Updates: After Trudeau's ‘India link’ claim, New Delhi likely to expel Canadian official

  The Indian government is likely to expel a Canadian official in response to the Justin Trudeau government’s decision to throw out an Indian operative from Ottawa, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

  India has already rejected Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s contention that there are “credible allegations of a potential link” between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, describing the claim as “absurd and motivated”.

• Sep 19, 2023 09:54 AM IST

  How was pro-Khalistan leader Nijjar killed?

  Designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in June this year in Canada's British Columbia province. Declared ‘wanted’ in four NIA cases pertaining to Sikh radicalism, Nijjar was the chief of pro-Khalistan outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). His outfit has associations with Sikh For Justice, run by another pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. 

  Nijjar was shot dead at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in the Canadian province. He became the gurudwara's president after allegedly occupying it forcibly. 

  Separatist elements have been blaming India for Nijjar's murder, however, a close confidant of the Khalistani figure has said that Canadian law enforcement agencies did not mention New Delhi while briefing him on the potential threat to his life.

• Sep 19, 2023 09:30 AM IST

  Canada's claim will be ‘signifacant test for India-US relations’, say experts

  US-based senior Defence Analyst Derek J. Grossman on Tuesday said Canada’s allegations regarding the Indian government’s involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada “could be most significant test of strength of US-India partnership since early 2000s.”

  The National security and Indo-Pacific analyst at RAND Corporation, an American nonprofit global policy think tank, posted on X: “Canada’s bombshell accusation today against India could be most significant test of strength of US-India partnership since early 2000s. That said, US will pull out all the stops to keep India close by its side to help counter China, which could mean staying out of this mess.”

  An economics professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, Vivek Dehejia termed Canada's allegations against India 'explosive'.

  In a post on X he said, "These are explosive allegations by Trudeau against India, as yet unproven. The already frayed bilateral relationship will take a nose dive, and the Indo-Canadian diaspora will be riven by this. Best for all of us to take a pause till the fact are known."

• Sep 19, 2023 09:17 AM IST

  British Columbia premier backs Trudeau's claims

  Shortly after Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau alleged that India could be linked to the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force Chief Hardeep Nijjar, his statement was echoed by the Premier of British Columbia David Eby on Monday.

  In a statement David Eby said Canadians across the country must be safe from interference of foreign governments, including being targeted for threats or physical harm, including murder.

  “Canadians across the country must be safe from the interference of foreign governments, including being targeted for threats or physical harm, including murder. Our democracy depends on it,” the British Columbia premier said on Monday.

  Nijjar, who was wanted in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

• Sep 19, 2023 09:02 AM IST

  History of India's crackdown on Sikh separatism

  Indian authorities have cracked down on Sikh separatism over the years, after an armed insurgency in the 1980s for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan took off in Punjab state. It prompted a controversial military operation by the Indian government that killed thousands of people, according to official estimates.

• Sep 19, 2023 08:54 AM IST

  US ‘deeply concerned’ over Canada alleging India link to Nijjar killing

  The US is "deeply concerned" over accusations by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Khalistani leader in British Columbia in June, the White House said. Justin Trudeau said that there are “credible allegations of a potential link” between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. The claim was rejected by the Indian side as “absurd and motivated”. Read more

• Sep 19, 2023 08:48 AM IST

  India points out Canadian politicians ‘openly expressed sympathy’ for pro-Khalistan elements

  The Union external affairs ministry countered Canadian PM's claim on killing of pro-Khalistan leader, pointing out that ‘Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements’. 

  “The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime, is not new,” it added.

• Sep 19, 2023 08:36 AM IST

  Canada Expels Indian Diplomat Live: Senior Canadian journalist questions timing of Trudeau's claim

  Senior Canadian journalist Tahir Aslam Gora called expelling of Indian diplomat creates a tough situation in the relations between India and Canada. “This revelation could have been made earlier or maybe later, after the investigation was completed,” he said.

• Sep 19, 2023 08:26 AM IST

  Canada Expels Indian Diplomat Live: India urges Canada to take legal action against all anti-India elements

  The Indian government has urged the Canadian government to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.

• Sep 19, 2023 08:18 AM IST

  India rejects Canada's allegation on killing Sikh leader, calls it ‘absured, motivated’

  

  The Indian government has reacted to the allegation made by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

  ndia rejects allegations by Canada…We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated...We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law," the Union external affairs ministry said in the statement.

• Sep 19, 2023 08:10 AM IST

  Canada Expels Indian Diplomat Live: Already thorny, trade ties between both nations likely to suffer

  The indefinitely postoned talks between India and Canada on the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) is likely to witness a capricious end after the recent development regarding the killing of Sikh leader on Canadian land. 

  The indefinite halt on trade talks was a latest development in the fracturing of the relationship over pro-Khalistan activities in Canada. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conveyed New Delhi’s “strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada” to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau during their pull aside meeting in Delhi on the margins of the G20 leaders’ summit.

• Sep 19, 2023 07:57 AM IST

  Canada appraised its G7 peers on the matter

  Canadian foreign minister Mélanie Joly said PM Trudeau has raised the matter with US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. She added that the issue will be brought in front of the G7 members on Monday evening ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.

• Sep 19, 2023 07:42 AM IST

  Canada claimed to have confronted Indian intelligence agencies earlier on the matter

  Canada’s national security adviser and the head of Canada’s spy service have travelled to India to meet their counterparts and to confront the Indian intelligence agencies with the allegations, country's Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said.

• Sep 19, 2023 07:38 AM IST

  Who is Hardeep Singh Nijjar, pro-Khalistan leader killed in Canada?

  1. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, associated with banned Indian separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), held the position of 'Number 2' after Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He hailed from Jalandhar's Bharsingh Pura village as per Punjab Police dossiers and moved to Canada in 1996.
  2.  In Canada, he began working there as a plumber, however over the past few years, his wealth saw a sudden rise, due to his involvement in pro-Khalistan activities.
  3.  Nijjar's involvement in terrorism started with his membership in Babbar Khalsa International, led by Jagtar Singh Tara. Subsequently, he established his own group, Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). He played a significant role in identifying, connecting, training, and funding Khalistani cells in India, accumulating over 10 FIRs against him.
  4.  In 2014, Nijjar masterminded the assassination of self-proclaimed spiritual leader Baba Bhaniara. In 2015, he conducted a training camp in Canada to instruct Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, who was subsequently dispatched to Punjab with the mission of targeting Shiv Sena leaders. Mandeep was arrested in June 2016.
  5.  In November 2020, Nijjar partnered with fellow gangster Arsh Dalla, who was also residing abroad. Together, they got involved in the murder of Manohar Lal, a follower of the Dera Sacha Sauda, which took place at Lal's office in Bhagta Bhai Ka, Bathinda, in 2021.
• Sep 19, 2023 07:33 AM IST

  Canada Expels Indian Diplomat Live: Top Indian diplomat identified as RAW official

  According to public broadcaster CBC, Canadian foreign minster's office identified the diplomat as Pavan Kumar Rai, the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in Canada