The former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of “destroying” bilateral ties between the two nations for political reasons. Verma, who was recalled amidst a diplomatic rift, denied allegations made by Canada regarding the Indian government’s involvement in the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
While condemning Nijjar’s killing, Verma hinted at countries engaging in extrajudicial killings, including some G7 nations. He emphasized India’s commitment to avoiding extrajudicial killings, highlighting the lack of evidence shared by Ottawa in the ongoing diplomatic row.
Verma also referenced a similar situation in the US, where Indian agents were linked to an attempted assassination of another Sikh separatist leader. He disclosed that a high-level panel had been formed in response to US allegations, indicating cooperation with US law enforcement agencies.
With Trudeau admitting that his allegations against India were based on intelligence rather than hard evidence, Verma criticized the political motive behind the accusations, leading to a downward spiral in bilateral relations. The situation underscores the complexity of diplomatic relationships and the impact of political factors on international discourse.