Trudeau Calls India's Actions on Canadian Soil a 'Terrible Mistake'

Two days after expelling six Indian diplomats from Canada, the Prime Minister of Canada described any interference by the Indian government in Canada's security and sovereignty as a 'terrible mistake.' Justin Trudeau stated on Wednesday, October 25, 'India has made a terrible mistake in thinking it can intervene aggressively in Canada's sovereignty.' Ottawa expelled six Indian diplomats on Monday, October 23, holding them responsible for the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead about six months ago in British Columbia. According to Trudeau, India has made extensive efforts to target Indian dissidents in Canada. On Tuesday, the Canadian Prime Minister accused Indian security agents of attempting to gather intelligence covertly, making violent threats, and even plotting the murder of Asian-Canadian individuals. This was Trudeau's strongest reaction during a year-long dispute that has brought bilateral relations between Canada and India to their lowest point. Meanwhile, Indian officials, rejecting Trudeau's statements, claimed they decided to withdraw their diplomats due to 'insecurity.' The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated, 'We do not trust the Canadian government's commitment to ensuring the safety of our diplomats, so we decided to withdraw our High Commissioner and other diplomats from the country.' This is not the first time in recent months that both sides have expelled each other's diplomats, increasing tensions between the two countries. The Indian government has accused Ottawa of turning a blind eye to the activities of radical Sikh nationalists who support the establishment of an independent country in northern India. On the other hand, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that a meeting between the U.S. and India regarding investigations into a failed plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader on U.S. soil was constructive. This official noted that the U.S. is satisfied with the cooperation of the Indian government and reported on a meeting of an Indian government committee investigating the country's involvement in the failed assassination plot with U.S. officials in Washington. The United States has asked India to address allegations from the U.S. Department of Justice that an unnamed Indian intelligence official directed plans to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada. India and Canada have expelled each other's diplomats from their territories. The U.S. State Department spokesperson, without providing details, told reporters, 'They informed us that the individual mentioned in the Department of Justice indictment is no longer a government employee in India.' The U.S. government announced last December that the assassination plot against Mr. Pannun was raised 'at the highest levels' with India and emphasized that the involved parties must be held accountable. The Washington Post, in its investigative report published last May, cited the indictment presented to a U.S. court regarding this case, stating that the terrorist plot directed from within India's intelligence apparatus was ultimately thwarted by U.S. security and intelligence agencies.