India-Canada relations deteriorate again; move to implicate High Commissioner in Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder case

NEW DELHI: India-Canada diplomatic relations are on the verge of deteriorating once again. India has strongly protested against the Canadian government's move to make the Indian High Commissioner an accused in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India had summoned the Canadian ambassador and asked him not to make the Indian High Commissioner an accused in the case. The Canadian High Commissioner was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to lodge a protest.

Canada had officially sought permission from the Indian government to arrest the Indian High Commissioner to Canada. India had reacted sharply to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's remarks earlier. In a statement, India accused the Canadian Prime Minister of playing vote bank politics and surrendering to religious fanatics. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has alleged that the Indian High Commissioner is being tried to be prosecuted because Trudeau has surrendered to religious extremists.

The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the developments that followed are what has led to the deterioration of relations between India and Canada. So far, three Indians have been arrested in connection with the murder. Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, have been arrested by the Canadian police in connection with the Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder case.

According to the police, the accused has been in Canada for the past four years. Trudeau has been critical of India on several occasions over the issue. Prime Minister himself has often replied to Trudeau. Indian nationals in Canada have expressed concern over the future following these incidents. The situation had improved later but Canada's new moves are unexpectedly leading to a further deterioration of relations.