Canada is investigating what the country's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called 'credible' allegations of the possible involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India rejected the allegations, calling them "absurd and motivated", and a few hours later expelled a senior Canadian diplomat.

Here is the timeline and latest updates of the India Canada tension:

#September 19, 10.40am: India expels senior Canadian diplomat after summoning country's ambassador

India has expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, hours after Canada did the same, citing "credible allegations" regarding the Indian government's involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The ministry of external affairs in a statement on Tuesday, September 19, morning, said it had summoned the high commissioner of Canada, Cameron MacKay, to inform him of the Centre's decision to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India.

The expelled diplomat has been told to leave India within five days.

"The decision reflects Government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities," the ministry said in a statement.

#September 19, 10.36am: Ministry of external affairs set to lodge strong protest against Canadian government: Sources

The ministry is set to lodge a strong protest against the Canadian government's move, people in the know told CNBC-TV18's Parikshit Luthra.

#September 19, 10.30am: Canadian high commissioner to India leaves from Ministry of External Affairs headquarters, Delhi | WATCH

#WATCH | Canadian High Commissioner to India, Cameron MacKay leaves from the MEA headquarters at South Block, New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/zFAaTFfeAP

— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2023

#September 19, 8am: India rejects Canada's allegations, calls them 'absurd and motivated'

The Indian government has rejected the Canadian governmnet's allegations, callng them 'absurd and motivated'. "Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern," India said. It also urged the Canadian government to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.

The Indian government too said Trudeau had brought up these allegations with PM Modi, and were "completely rejected".

#September 19, early hours IST: White House says concerned over allegations referenced by Trudeau: Report

"We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau earlier today," US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement released late on Monday night

#September 19, 6.46am IST: Canada's foreign minister says Indian diplomat expelled as a consequence of allegations against India

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said an Indian diplomat in Canada has been expelled as a consequence. “If proven true this would be a great violation of our sovereignty and of the most basic rule of how countries deal with each other,” Joly said. “As a consequence we have expelled a top Indian diplomat."

My statement on allegations surrounding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. pic.twitter.com/auIyj194A8

— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) September 19, 2023

#September 19, 1.45am IST: Trudeau calls for calm among Indo-Canadian community

Trudeau said he knows there are some members of the Indo-Canadian community who feel angry or frightened, and he called for calm.

"I know that many Canadians, particularly members of the Indo-Canadian community, are feeling angry and perhaps frightened right now. Let us not allow this to change us. Let us remain calm and steadfast in our commitment to our democratic principles and our adherence to the rule of law," Trudeau said.

#September 19, 1.45am IST: Intelligence agencies looking into "credible allegations" of potential link between India and killing of Nijjar: Canadian PM

Canada Prime Miniser Justin Trudeau in Parliament said that the Canadian intelligence agencies have been looking into the 'credible allegations' of the Indian government's involvement in Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder on June 18 in British Columbia.

“Over the past number of weeks Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau said Canada has declared its deep concerns to the Indian government. "Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.”

Trudeau said his government has been working closely and coordinating with Canada’s allies on the case.

“In the strongest possible terms I continue to urge the government of India to cooperate with Canada to get to the bottom of this matter,” he said.

#September 16: Canada postpones trade mission to India

The expulsion comes as relations between Canada and India are tense. Trade talks have been derailed and Canada just postponed a trade mission to India that was planned for the fall.

#September 9-10: Trudeau-Modi talks at G20 Summit in India

Trudeau also informed the Parliament that he brought up the incident of Nijjar's murder with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent G20 Summit in New Delhi and told him any involvement of the Indian government would not be acceptable. He also asked PM Modi for cooperation in the probe.

The Indian government on September 19 said Trudeau had brought up these allegations with PM Modi, and they were "completely rejected".

At the G20 meeting, PM Modi expressed “strong concerns” over Canada’s handling of the Khalistani movement among the overseas during a meeting with Trudeau at the G20, according to a statement released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

The statement described the movement as “promoting secessionism and inciting violence” against Indian diplomats. It called on Canada to work with India on what New Delhi said is a threat to the Canadian Indian diaspora.

#June 18: Hardeep Singh Nijjar Is Gunned Down

Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in Surrey, Canada on Sunday evening by two youths. The incident occurred on the premises of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, of which he is also the head.

#June 8: Khalistani parade in Canada celebrates Indira Gandhi's assasination, India says 'not good for Canada'

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticised Canada over a Khalistani parade that celebrated the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

" I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence. I think it is not good for relationships, not good for Canada," he said at a press conference.

Also Read: Unraveling the India-Canada rift: Recent incidents straining diplomatic relations

First Published:Sept 19, 2023 7:02 AM IST