Indian envoy blames Trudeau for worsening ties, accuses Canada of harboring Khalistan extremists

Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has launched a scathing critique of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, accusing it of fostering mistrust and shielding Khalistan separatists who threaten India's territorial integrity. As Verma returned to India after Ottawa’s unproven allegations linking New Delhi to the killing of Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, he expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating bilateral relations.

In a compelling interview with CTV News aired on Sunday, Verma directly blamed Trudeau for the breakdown in diplomacy between the two countries, claiming that the prime minister’s administration was "encouraging" Khalistan separatists and even using them as "deep assets" for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

The tensions between India and Canada reached a tipping point after Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in Nijjar's assassination, a claim vehemently denied by New Delhi. Verma emphasized that, despite the gravity of the allegations, the Canadian government has failed to provide any concrete evidence.

“No evidence has been presented… It’s politically motivated,” Verma stated. “If Mr. Trudeau or his colleagues know about it, is it not a crime not to file a charge sheet? Where is the judicial process?”

Accusations of Political Manipulation and Mismanagement

Verma’s remarks not only accused Canada of harboring pro-Khalistan elements but also questioned the independence of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). According to him, the police force has become enmeshed in political motivations. "How politically independent are they? We can discuss that endlessly. Until just two days before, they claimed there was no evidence. Suddenly, new evidence appears out of nowhere," he added, suggesting that Canadian authorities are influenced by political agendas rather than facts.

The Indian envoy asserted that Trudeau's decision to stand in Parliament and raise allegations against India without first presenting evidence had significantly damaged the bilateral relationship. "On the basis of intelligence, if you want to destroy a relationship, be my guest," Verma remarked, signaling that Canada’s actions had caused irreparable harm to ties between the two nations.

India’s Call for Accountability and Evidence Sharing

Verma underscored that India's core issue with Canada is its failure to address the growing threat posed by Khalistan separatists, who he claims are working against India from Canadian soil. He highlighted that these extremists are not Indian citizens but Canadians, and that Canada should not allow its citizens to attack the sovereignty and integrity of another nation.

“The largest Sikh population in the world is in India. These Khalistani terrorists and extremists are Canadian citizens. No government should encourage its citizens to attack another country's sovereignty,” Verma stated, adding that Khalistan groups have misled many who initially arrived in Canada as "innocent international students."

Despite these allegations, Verma emphasized that India has never engaged in extrajudicial killings. "Any murder is wrong and must be condemned. But let’s be clear: evidence must be shared first, and we will share ours. This is how it works in extradition cases,” he noted, urging for an evidence-based dialogue.

Verma also hinted at double standards within the international community, particularly among G7 nations, stating, "Some of these countries have committed extrajudicial killings, but no one talks about that. There should be no double standards."

Impact on Bilateral Ties

Despite the ongoing diplomatic row, Verma maintained that people-to-people ties, trade, and educational exchanges between India and Canada would remain largely unaffected. "Canada has been a friend of India, and it will continue to be. We want the Canadian government to act on our concerns sincerely,” he said, while expressing hope that bilateral non-political relations would not bear the brunt of the current diplomatic standoff.

The high commissioner’s comments come amid growing concerns over the influence of Khalistan supporters in Canada, which India believes are being deliberately overlooked by Canadian authorities. Verma reiterated that India is fully committed to maintaining peace and upholding the democratic process, and expressed regret that Canada's policies seem to undermine these values.

Moving Forward

As the diplomatic crisis unfolds, Verma’s statements signal that India is willing to engage in constructive dialogue—provided that Canada presents clear evidence to back its claims. However, until then, mistrust between the two nations is likely to persist. The allegations against India, particularly the accusations surrounding Nijjar’s killing, have created a significant rift between the two countries, with Verma describing it as a politically motivated act by the Canadian government.

“The day Trudeau made that statement in Parliament without evidence, he set our relationship on a downward spiral,” Verma said.

India's concerns about the activities of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada continue to be a major point of contention, and the resolution of these tensions will largely depend on Canada’s willingness to address them in an objective and evidence-driven manner. As India navigates this complex diplomatic landscape, it remains firm on safeguarding its national interests while calling for responsible international conduct. Verma’s parting message to Trudeau’s government was clear: respect India's sovereignty, and work towards rebuilding the trust that has been eroded.