Canada's Parliament observed a moment of silence in the House of Commons on Tuesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist leader.
Nijjar, who had been listed as a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) since 2020, was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023.
The event heightened tensions between India and Canada. Matters escalated further when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted at the possible involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s death.
The event heightened tensions between India and Canada. Matters escalated further when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted at the possible involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s death.
Canada has arrested four Indian nationals in connection with the incident. India has said that Canada has not officially communicated about the murder of the Sikh separatist or the arrests. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dismissed the Canadian allegations as 'absurd and motivated by ulterior motives'.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau met during the G7 summit in Italy. Trudeau expressed optimism about fostering relations with the new government, highlighting potential cooperation on economic and national security issues.
Origins of Terrorist Label
After arriving in Canada in 1997 on a false passport, Nijjar's refugee claim was rejected and his subsequent attempt to sponsor immigration through marriage was also unsuccessful, Global News reported.
Following his death, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referred to him as a Canadian citizen during a parliamentary session.
Security agencies identified Nijjar as an active recruiter and trainer for the proscribed terrorist group Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). He was associated with the separatist organisation Sikhs for Justice, which organised a Khalistan referendum in 2022 and 2023, as well as others in the US, Europe and Australia.
Meantime, Nijjar was one of 40 people listed by the India as 'designated terrorists' and the government has repeatedly expressed concern about Nijjar's activities. In 2018, then Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, provided Prime Minister Trudeau with a list of wanted persons that included Nijjar's name.
In 2022, the Punjab police sought Nijjar's extradition for his alleged involvement in terrorism-related cases in the state.
Earlier, the Punjab police had filed a case against Nijjar for his alleged role in a bomb blast near a temple in Patiala.