As Canadian diplomats left India following a diplomatic standoff, Canadian High Commissioner to India, Cameron MacKay, made a significant statement, linking two alleged assassination plots—the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and the attempted murder of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US—to a single plan emanating from Delhi. This is the first time the Canadian envoy has publicly connected the incidents, which have deepened the rift between India and Canada.
MacKay called the Indian government's actions a "tremendous strategic error" and expressed concerns about the "reputational cost" for India, emphasizing that "some very serious red lines have been crossed." He urged the need for accountability and continued dialogue to prevent further damage to bilateral relations, while noting that India's response to the US and Canada has been markedly different.
The tensions between the two countries have escalated following Canada's expulsion of Indian diplomats, leading to reciprocal measures by New Delhi. MacKay emphasized that while Canada seeks a better relationship with India in the long run, accountability must come first.