In a diplomatic showdown of a gripping espionage case, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hurled charges at the Indian government, alleging their intelligence agency RAW’s surreptitious involvement in the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. This high-stakes clash has thrust international relations into the spotlight, revealing layers of religious fervor in India, and political maneuvering by India, as it wants to divest legitimate movements of their right to exist. A democracy assassinating the citizens of another democracy, and on the latter’s own soil, is no small action as the Indian government is blatantly involved in killing of people abroad who are against the policies of India. This time Indian nefarious designs have been fully exposed by the Canadian government.

Indian intelligence agency RAW’s surreptitious involvement in the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. This high-stakes clash has thrust international relations into the spotlight, revealing layers of religious fervor in India, and political maneuvering by India, as it wants to divest legitimate movements of their right to exist. A democracy assassinating the citizen of another democracy, and on the latter’s own soil, is no small action

At the heart of this controversy lies the Khalistani separatist movement, and its leader- Nijjar, who met a tragic end outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Khalistan movement, seeks an independent homeland for Sikhs Punjab India, and they have been a thorn in India’s side. Branded as terrorists by India, Khalistani groups are banned in India due to national security concerns. Trudeau’s intrepid claims of Indian involvement have set off a diplomatic crisis, with Canada expelling a top Indian diplomat in response to the targeted killing of a Sikh leader in Canada. The Canadian leader has voiced credible allegations, suggesting links between Indian government agents and Nijjar’s murder, sending jolts across international diplomatic circles, for breaking international law. This incident can easily be called an extrajudicial execution on foreign soil by India. Moreover, India’s attacking of a Sikh leader without Canada’s consent violates Canada’s territorial Integrity. Extra-territorial killings by intelligence agencies are political matters and relate to international relations between states and thus are justiciable in the human rights committee courts, as these actions violate the rights to life and remedy, more so, even the legality of a strike under Art. 51 of the UN Charter does not preclude its wrongfulness under humanitarian or human rights law.

 

This incident can easily be called an extrajudicial execution on foreign soil by India. Moreover, India’s attacking of a Sikh leader without Canada’s consent violates Canada’s territorial Integrity. Extra-territorial killings by intelligence agencies are political matters and relate to international relations between states and thus are justiciable in the human rights committee courts, as these actions violate the rights to life and remedy, more so, even the legality of a strike under Art. 51 of the UN Charter does not preclude its wrongfulness under humanitarian or human rights law.

This incident has divided Western nations, typically unified in democratic ideals. Trudeau’s allegations come at a time when India’s rising prominence as a counterweight to China has Western powers treading cautiously. While democratic allies like the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand have refrained from echoing Trudeau’s claims, they have called for thorough investigations into the matter, navigating a delicate balance.

Amidst this diplomatic skirmish, sovereignty takes center stage. Canada has protested over the violation of its sovereignty on Canadian soil, alleging that Indian agents carried out a murder. India has upped the ante against Canada in a move to expel the Canadian diplomat from India and has issued a travel advisory for its citizens in response to Canada’s actions.

This incident echoes of Jamal Khashoggi murder case and builds an ominous parallel between the Hardeep Singh Nijjar assassination and diplomatic Intrigue as in the annals of diplomatic intrigue and extra-judicial killings, the tragic fate of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada bears eerie similarities to the brutal murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Jamal Khashoggi’s chilling murder inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in 2018 sent shockwaves throughout the world. The Saudi dissident journalist, known for his critical writings of the government, walked into the consulate and never walked out. Instead, he fell victim to a gruesome extrajudicial killing, allegedly orchestrated by high-ranking Saudi officials. Fast forward to 2023, and another disturbing assassination unfolded, this time on Canadian soil. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader and Khalistan advocate, was gunned down outside a Sikh temple. The circumstances surrounding his murder have fueled allegations of Indian government involvement. While worlds apart in geography and context, these two incidents share a common thread of alleged state involvement, raising unsettling questions about the abuse of power and the quest for justice. This incident even goes to show a parallel of drawing comparisons to President Vladimir Putin’s Russia, which would be a much more fraught parallel for India.

In both cases, allegations of state involvement have cast a long shadow over the investigations. While Khashoggi’s murder was linked to high-ranking Saudi officials, Nijjar’s killing has led Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to suggest possible links to Indian government agents. The killings of Khashoggi and Nijjar sparked international outrage and condemnation. In Khashoggi’s case, his journalistic endeavors and critical stance against the Saudi government drew attention worldwide. Similarly, Nijjar’s advocacy for the Khalistan movement and his assassination on foreign soil have raised concerns about extraterritorial actions.

Both incidents resulted in diplomatic fallout. Khashoggi’s murder strained Saudi Arabia’s relations with several countries, leading to sanctions and international condemnations. In the case of Nijjar, Canada’s expulsion of an Indian diplomat in response to the allegations has escalated tensions between the two nations. In both cases, the pursuit of justice remains a contentious issue. For Nijjar, Canadian authorities had actively investigated the case giving credible evidences of Indian involvemnet, but the path to justice remains uncertain.

The parallel between these two cases underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights on the global stage. Whether it’s the halls of a consulate or a peaceful Sikh temple, justice ought to prevail, shedding light on the darkest corners of international intrigue and ensuring that the voices of the victims continue to echo in our collective conscience. In a world where geopolitics and diplomacy are increasingly entangled, the Canada-India showdown serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities that underpin international relations. As the dust settles, one thing remains clear that this diplomatic thriller is far from over, and its consequences will reverberate through global corridors of power having significant geopolitical fallout. Canada-India relations have always been fraught on the issue of Khalistan and Sikh Canadians’ support for the movement.