Expelled Indian High Commissioner Blames PM Trudeau for Damaging Bilateral Relations, Claims Lack of Evidence

India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, was expelled by the Canadian government by Canada on October 14, 2024, amid deepening political tensions between the two nations. While Verma anticipates that economic ties between the countries will remain stable, he highlights a growing sense of “mistrust” that now defines the political relationship.

In an exclusive interview on CTV’s Question Period, that aired Sunday, Verma expressed his concerns over future diplomatic decisions, particularly regarding India’s replacement of expelled officials. According to Verma, any such move would require careful discussion with Canada’s government.

“Largely given the mistrust that we have in [Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau and his team, we’ll have concerns,” Verma stated during the interview. “Our security and safeties are concerned, so there are many things to consider.”

Verma also accused the Canadian government of failing to take adequate measures against the Sikh separatist movement operating within the country. India views elements of this movement as extremist and is particularly frustrated by the lack of progress on 27 extradition cases involving individuals linked to Sikh separatism.

“We only want the Canadian regime of the day to understand my core concerns and act sincerely,” said Verma. “Instead of associating with those challenging India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Canada’s most recent high commissioner to India, Cameron MacKay, responded by defending the federal government’s efforts to address the issue. MacKay claimed that Canada had actively pursued more information from India on 26 of the 27 extradition files.

“In cases where India has shared sufficient information, we have successfully extradited individuals from Canada,” MacKay explained during his own interview on Question Period. “The claim that Canada has been uncooperative is simply not true.”

Tensions between the two countries took a dramatic turn when Canadian authorities accused Indian diplomats of engaging in clandestine activities linked to serious criminal acts, including homicides and extortions. Verma, along with five other Indian officials, was declared persona non grata and expelled after refusing to waive diplomatic immunity to cooperate with Canadian law enforcement.

India, in retaliation, expelled six Canadian diplomats, calling Canada’s accusations politically motivated. Diplomatic relations have been particularly strained since Prime Minister Trudeau publicly alleged in the House of Commons that Indian agents were involved in the 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia.

Verma criticized Trudeau’s handling of the situation, accusing him of relying on intelligence rather than concrete evidence. “On the basis of intelligence, if you want to destroy a relationship, be my guest. That’s what he did,” Verma remarked.

Complicating the matter further, the U.S. Department of Justice recently unsealed an indictment connecting a foiled assassination plot in New York City to the Nijjar case. The target of the plot was Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen. Verma, however, refuted any connection between the U.S. case and the Nijjar investigation, insisting that proper diplomatic protocol was not followed by Canada.

“Evidence should have been shared first, but instead, someone decided to stand in Parliament and make claims for which there was no hard evidence,” Verma said.

MacKay, meanwhile, maintained that Canada had made multiple attempts to collaborate with India on the investigation but was met with resistance.

“Canada sought India’s cooperation and collaboration,” said MacKay. “But instead, India responded by vilifying Canada, particularly for domestic political gain.”

Despite the escalating diplomatic conflict, both sides agree that trade and economic relations will remain largely unaffected. Verma echoed Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng’s statement that the trade relationship between the two nations is likely to endure.

“People-to-people relationships, trade, cultural exchange, science, and technology—those aspects remain separate from the current political conflict,” Verma noted, adding that while emotions may flare, the broader economic ties will likely remain stable.

As diplomatic tensions between Canada and India show no signs of easing, the future of their political relationship remains uncertain, while economic and trade cooperation is expected to persist.

The full interview can be viewed here, and the transcript is available here.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/indian-high-commissioner-accuses-trudeau-of-destroying-bilateral-relationship-says-mistrust-persists-1.7080163