On Tuesday, Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma warned that Sikh separatist groups in Canada are crossing a “big red line,” and that New Delhi sees this as a matter of national security. These were Verma’s first public remarks following the arrest of three Indian nationals in the Hardeep Singh Nijjar assassination case.
Separatists Crossing Big Red Line
“Foreigners having if I can call it, (an) evil eye on the territorial integrity of India — that is a big red line for us,” Verma said. “Indians will decide the fate of India, not the foreigners,” the envoy remarked at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations. He added that his chief concern is “national-security threats emanating from the land of Canada.” Noting that India does not recognise dual nationality, he said that anyone who emigrates is considered a foreigner.
India's High Commissioner to Canada has boldly responded to the Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder case. Sanjay Kumar Verma said security threats emanating from Canada are a red line for India. pic.twitter.com/22Dbhp59vH
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) May 8, 2024
Verma stated that the deeper causes underlying recent “negative” developments stem from Canada’s ignorance of “decades-old issues,” which he blamed on Canadians of Indian descent for emerging. He also stated that some media reports have been “a bit coloured,” yet agreeing that “there would be some facts” in them.
India-Canada Ties Positive
Verma insisted that India-Canada relations are positive overall despite “a lot of noise,” striking a conciliatory note on Tuesday, saying the two countries are “trying to resolve this issue.” “We are ready to sit down at the table any day, and we are doing that,” he said.
He added that the bilateral trade is about $26 billion annually, and that, during the last 11 months, Canadian exports of lentils have increased by 75%, while the amount of Indian-prepared medications entering Canada has increased by 21%.
India-Canada ties have been rife with controversy ever since Khalistani leader Nijjar was shot dead last year in June, and the Canadian government alleged that the Indian government was behind the killing; India denied the allegation. Ottawa has yet to provide any proof of the allegation, despite New Delhi’s demands.
Three Indian nationals, Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22), and Karanpreet Singh (28), arrested in the case, appeared before the court on Tuesday. Earlier on Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stood by the allegations that the Indian government was behind the killing of Nijjar.
India Condemns Pro-Khalistan Float
On Tuesday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned violent imagery used by pro-Khalistan elements in a float at the Nagar Kirtan parade in Malton, Canada. The image showed Indian PM Narendra Modi behind bars. The MEA also condemned a float depicting the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Celebration and glorification of violence should not be a part of any civilised society. Democratic countries which respect the rule of law should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression.” He stated that India is concerned about the security of its diplomatic representatives in Canada and expects the Canadian government to ensure they are able to carry out their responsibilities without fear.