The simmering diplomatic row between India and Canada comes to the boil on Monday with allegations of a plot in which Khalistani separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar , was killed. Adding a new dimension to the current complexity is when India recently named Sandeep Singh Sidhu, an officer with Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), in this terror case.
Who is Sandeep Singh Sidhu?
CBSA Employee and Banned ISYF Suspected Terrorist, Sandeep Singh Sidhu He has also been charged with attempting to incite terrorist activities in Punjab, including a spate of killings by Khalistani militants.
Allegations Against Sidhu
Reports indicate that Sidhu has ties to Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode and is implicated in the assassination of Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a decorated Indian soldier and vocal opponent of Khalistani separatism. Sandhu’s murder has been described as a significant event, symbolising the violent tactics employed by Khalistani operatives against dissenters.
Key Points:
• Ties with Terrorism: Sidhu allegedly has connections with known terrorist operatives.
• Role in Assassination: He is accused of being involved in the planning of a high-profile murder.
• Membership in ISYF: His affiliation with a banned organisation raises serious concerns about his activities.
Diplomatic Repercussions
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accused India of harbouring Canadian fugitives; Indian govt declares Sidhu a fugitive terrorist. This incident escalated after Trudeau accused Indian diplomats of spying on Sikh separatists in Canada and then attacking them, which resulted in serious consequences for the Indians temple.
India’s Response
This led to a diplomatic standoff and in response, India banned six Canadian diplomats including its acting high commissioner. These claims were denied by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which termed them as “absolutely absurd”.
Pending Extradition Requests
In these circumstances, 26 such people related to criminal activities in Canada are wanted by Indian agencies and hence there was uproar among MPs that the government should send back Jaspal as India too has pending extradition requests. The MEA has sharply criticised Canadian authorities for not taking action on these requests.
Points of Concern:
Indian inaction : They have claimed that their repeated demands for the arrest of gang members were ignored.
Another Annual Show Of Diplomatic Strain: The situation reflects the escalating mistrust between India and China.
Conclusion
The naming of Sandeep Singh Sidhu in a terror case is an escalation in the ongoing diplomatic dispute between India and Canada. Both countries continue to accuse each other of interference and the relations between them seem growingly tense. In the coming days, it will be important for both countries to manage these issues diplomatically as this matter unfolds.