Ties between India and Canada are already under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations on September 18 last year of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.India rejected Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”.In November, the US federal prosecutors charged that one Nikhil Gupta was working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada.Though the separatist Sikh leader was not named, media reports identified him as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the Sikhs for Justice, an organisation banned in India.India has already constituted a probe committee to investigate allegations.Days after Trudeau’s allegations in September, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity.India resumed some visa services in Canada in November, more than a month after they were suspended.(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
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