Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed a pressing diplomatic issue on Tuesday (September 19) by emphasising that Canada does not seek to "provoke" or "escalate" tensions with India. However, he urged New Delhi to take the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar with the "utmost seriousness."

Trudeau's remarks came shortly after Canada and India expelled a senior diplomat each from their countries, triggered by allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister concerning the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in Nijjar's killing in June.

"We want to work with the Government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes," Trudeau told reporters.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the 45-year-old chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of India's most-wanted terrorists, was fatally shot by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. He carried a substantial cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head.

In a speech delivered to the House of Commons on Monday (September 18), Trudeau said Canadian security agencies have been actively investigating credible allegations linking agents of the Indian government to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In response to these allegations, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed the expulsion of "a senior Indian diplomat." India swiftly rejected Trudeau's claims, terming them "absurd and motivated." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement asserting, "Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated."

Later today (September 19), India retaliated by expelling a "senior Canadian diplomat" in a tit-for-tat move, giving them five days to leave the country.

Trade tensions between India and Canada have escalated in recent months, leading to the cancellation of trade talks. The dispute over Nijjar's murder further strains bilateral ties.

US concerned

Further, the United States has expressed concern over the situation. A senior State Department official noted that US authorities have been in close contact with Canadian counterparts regarding the allegations of the Indian government's involvement in the murder. The official urged India to cooperate fully with the investigation.

"We're quite concerned about the allegations. We think it's important there is a full and open investigation, and we would urge the Indian government to cooperate with that investigation," the official stated during a news briefing.

The escalating diplomatic spat threatens to impact not only political relations but also trade ties between the two nations. Talks on a proposed trade deal have been frozen, and both countries have expelled a diplomat in a tit-for-tat response.

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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)