Recently, with reference to the G20 summit held in India, various news reports in newspapers adorned the event. However, after the conclusion of the G20 summit, the Canadian Prime Minister stood in his parliament and stated that India’s Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was involved in the killings, and they would investigate this matter.
Furthermore, Canada has expelled Indian diplomats who were believed to be the head of the Indian agency “RAW.”
Canada has levied two allegations against India. Firstly, India is involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and secondly, the head of the Indian agency “RAW” is directly linked to this murder, resulting in their expulsion from the country. This indicates the extent to which the Indian intelligence agency “RAW” may be involved in serious violations of human rights in other countries, including high-level officials of other nations.
Diplomatic relations between India and Canada are currently strained. India has also retaliated by expelling Canadian diplomats, while the Indian media had earlier criticized the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, for attempting to raise the issue of the Sikh leader’s murder at the G20 summit. However, this issue did not gain attraction in the Indian media, but it did come up in Parliament.
According to the Vienna Convention of 1961, the Canadian Prime Minister’s speech is entirely principled. He raised the issue of the killing of a Canadian citizen and said that they will also investigate how India is involved in Canada. On the other hand, India believes that Canada is providing sanctuary to “purely terrorist” individuals. Both these statements indicate a new level of confrontation between the two nations.
According to United Nations General Assembly Resolution Number 2649, any movement, including one that demands freedom, is supported under international law. In this context, Canada’s stance against India holds significance, as it has the complete support of Western countries, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. In this matter, the lack of seriousness and non-cooperation from the Modi government can create serious problems for India.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed in front of a temple in a parking lot by two masked individuals this year. Following this incident, the Royal Mounted Police (RMP) became active and presented all evidence related to the killing of a Canadian citizen and the Sikh leader to the Canadian government. During the G20 summit, the Canadian Prime Minister met with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, and mentioned this issue, which led to a formal protest from Narendra Modi’s side.
It is important to note that Canada is home to a Sikh community of over 800,000 people, who have a significant influence on Canada’s political landscape. They have even contested elections for the position of Prime Minister, such as Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party. They are still active allies of the current government, indicating that Canada is not hesitant to intervene in India’s internal affairs or take action against any Canadian citizen.
India’s Narendra Modi government or its intelligence agency’s involvement in killing any Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is not only a breach of international treaties but also a violation of human rights. Furthermore, Canada’s tough stance can lead to legal action against India on a global level, with the possibility of sanctions and other economic repercussions.
This issue could also potentially reach the International Court of Justice, especially if the Security Council decides to use its veto power in India’s favor. This would be crucial for the United States, as it values India more than Canada and is more crucial for the United States to maintain good relations with India within its borders.
