NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday warned its citizens against visiting parts of Canada, amid a diplomatic row sparked by Canada’s explosive accusation that New Delhi was involved in the killing of a separatist Sikh near Vancouver.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demanded that India treat its allegations regarding the killing with “utmost seriousness”.
The fallout led to tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and a forceful denial from India, which said any suggestion it had a role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar was “absurd”.
Without explicitly referring to the dispute, India’s foreign ministry said it was concerned about the safety of its citizens in Canada due to “politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence.”
“The threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-Indian agenda,” a ministry statement said.
“Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid traveling to potential regions and locations in Canada that have witnessed such incidents.”
The notice did not name specific towns or locations that Indians should avoid.
In Ottawa, Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc rejected the Indians’ warning.
“Canada is a safe country,” he told reporters.
Nijjar was shot dead by two masked assailants outside the Sikh temple he presided over in Surrey, an outer suburb of Vancouver.
An activist for the creation of a Sikh state known as Khalistan, Nijjar was wanted by Indian authorities on allegations of terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder.
He had denied the accusations, according to the World Sikh Organization of Canada, a non-profit organization which claims to defend the interests of Canadian Sikhs.
The Indian government accuses Ottawa of turning a blind eye to the activities of radical Sikh nationalists who advocate the creation of an independent Sikh state to be carved out of northern India.
Relations between Canada and India have been strained in recent months since the assassination of the Sikh leader and the protests that followed in Canada.
Trudeau, who met Modi on the sidelines of this month’s G20 in New Delhi, said on Tuesday that his government had not rushed to judgment in the matter and had worked closely with its intelligence agencies.
“India must take this issue with utmost seriousness,” he said. “We are doing this, we are not looking to provoke or escalate.”
The United States has joined Canada in calling on India to reveal what it knows about the killing.
“We are deeply concerned by the allegations raised by Prime Minister Trudeau,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
“It is essential that Canada’s investigation continues and that the perpetrators are brought to justice. »
A representative of the World Sikh Organization of Canada, Mukhbir Singh, said his compatriots may have been “shocked” by Trudeau’s assertion “but it was not a surprise to the Sikh community.”
“For decades, India has targeted Sikhs in Canada through espionage, disinformation and now murder,” he said.
Balraj Singh Nijjar, son of the slain leader, said: “It was only a matter of time before the truth came out. »
He added, referring to government authorities: “I hope you can go further and get specific individuals. »
Canada’s New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, a Trudeau ally, has called for India’s inclusion in an investigation launched in September into alleged interference in Canadian affairs by other countries, including China.
“In my experience, as a Sikh Canadian, there was always suspicion that India was interfering with the democratic rights of Canadians. Yesterday’s announcement confirms that these suspicions are well-founded,” Singh said.
There were signs of a looming crisis before Trudeau revealed the investigation into Nijjar’s death on Monday.
Modi expressed “strong concerns over continued anti-India activities by extremist elements in Canada” during his meeting with Trudeau at the G20.
Canada has also suspended negotiations for a free trade deal with India, and last week its trade minister canceled a trip to the country planned for October.
The case could complicate the U.S. government’s moves toward India, which has seen the two countries gradually improve relations in recent years.
Washington considers New Delhi a key ally to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
