From the immigrants' favorite to the diplomatic row over the Nijjar murder, why did India-Canada relations turn sour?

Relations between India and Canada have become increasingly tense over the past year, with both countries expelling diplomats, filing murder charges and more. Relations between India and Canada deteriorated after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed in the Canadian Parliament last year that he had “credible allegations” about India's involvement in the Nijjar killing. India has denied all the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated” and accusing Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in its country.

What happened to Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the Canadian Parliament in September 2023 that he had “credible allegations” that India was involved in the killing of Nijjar. India has denied all the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated” and accusing Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in its country.

Trudeau later admitted that his government had not provided India with concrete evidence, only information about the killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil.

What exactly is the Khalistan question?

Sikh separatists demand an independent homeland called Khalistan, carved out of India. An uprising in the country killed tens of thousands in the 1980s and 1990s. Several key leaders of the movement – including Nijjar (who had Canadian citizenship) – were labeled “terrorists” by Indian authorities.

“The Khalistanis have made Khalistan a business in Canada. In the name of Khalistan, they engage in human trafficking, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and so on. They earn a lot of money from this and also through Gurudwaras and use a part of this money for all nefarious jobs,” Indian envoy Sanjay Verma told PTI earlier this week.

The diplomat said the other country had a “very small” number of Khalistani supporters who had managed to “scream the loudest and gain political patronage.” He also accused Khalistanis of trying to “intimidate” other Sikhs by threatening to target their daughters and families.

Election problems for Trudeau

Indian politicians and officials have also suggested that Canada's current stance could be a “strategic move” to win support among the influential Sikh community. Justin Trudeau remains in a precarious political situation – approval ratings have fallen in recent months and the New Democratic Party led by Jagmeet Singh is withdrawing its support from the coalition government. The elections are scheduled to take place in less than a year – by the end of October 2025.

Trudeau announced earlier this week that he would lead his party into the upcoming election – defying more than 20 MPs from his party who had signed a letter calling on him to resign before the next election.

The Liberals also suffered unrest in the recent special election for seats in two districts in Toronto and Montreal that the party has held for years – raising doubts about Trudeau's leadership.

(With contributions from agencies)