Surrey, British Columbia, September 18, 2023. Flags fly in front of the Sikh temple where Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot on June 18, 2023. DARRYL DYCK / AP
Canada announced on Thursday, September 21, a temporary reduction in its consular and diplomatic staff in India after threats were posted on social networks, amid a diplomatic crisis with New Delhi, which in turn had “suspended” the processing of Indian visas in Canada.
Suspicion of involvement weighs on Indian authorities, with Ottawa claiming to rely on “credible elements”.
“Diplomats [canadien] After receiving threats on various social media platforms, the Canadian Department of International Affairs is currently assessing its workforce in India,” the Canadian Mission to India said in a statement. The mission did not provide details on the number of staff affected but said its offices were “open and operational.”
On Thursday morning, BLS International, the official body that issues visas to Indian citizens, said it is “suspending” the processing of Indian visas in Canada. “Important Notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, visa services to India have been suspended from September 21, 2023 until further notice,” the Indian operator had stated on its website
Also Read: Article reserved for our subscribers Canada accuses India of being responsible for the murder of one of its Sikh nationals
Diplomatic relations are at their lowest point
Members of the Sikh community show their support for Hardeep Singh Nijjar and point out India’s responsibility in Peshawar, Pakistan, September 20, 2023. MUHAMMAD SAJJAD / AP
The Indian government called the Canadian allegations surrounding the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar “absurd” and denied “any act of violence in Canada.” Since then, diplomatic relations between Canada and India have been at an all-time low, marked by mutual expulsions of diplomats.
Mr. Nijjar was shot dead in Canada in June by two masked men in the parking lot of the Sikh temple he led in Surrey, near Vancouver, British Columbia. He died on site from his injuries. As an activist for the creation of “Khalistan,” an independent Sikh state in northern India, he came to Canada in 1997 and was naturalized in 2015.
He was wanted by Indian authorities for alleged acts of terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder. He denied allegations, according to the World Sikh Organization of Canada, a group that defends the interests of Canadian Sikhs.
Since his assassination and the violent protests that followed in Canada, relations between Ottawa and New Delhi have deteriorated significantly. Canada recently suspended free trade agreement negotiations with India and its trade minister last week canceled a planned trip to the country in October.
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The affair is not just worrying India and Canada: On Tuesday, Washington said it was “deeply concerned by the Canadian allegations.” “It is critical that Canada’s investigation continues and those responsible are brought to justice,” commented Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council. London, for its part, considered it “particularly important” to let the Canadian authorities lead the investigation. In Pakistan, members of the Sikh community have accused India of orchestrating the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.