The Impact of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's Killing in Canada on India-Canada Relations

The murder of prominent Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a temple in British Columbia, Canada, this summer has sparked outrage and heightened tensions between Sikh separatists and the Indian government. Nijjar was shot dead by two masked gunmen in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey. His unsolved killing continues to have an impact, with hundreds of Sikh separatists protesting in cities like Toronto, London, Melbourne, and San Francisco, accusing the Indian government of responsibility for his death. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also accused India of being involved in the murder. The Sikh separatist movement, which seeks a separate homeland for Sikhs, has been ongoing since the 1980s but lost momentum after special operations by armed forces in Punjab. However, support for the movement has been reignited in recent years, particularly among the Sikh diaspora community. India vehemently opposes the Khalistan movement, and all political parties, including those in Punjab, denounce violence and separatism. Nijjar, known for his activism and support for a separate Khalistani state, had faced threats in the past. The motive and suspects behind his murder are still unknown. The murder investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is ongoing. Canada is home to the largest Sikh diaspora outside Punjab, and protests following Nijjar's death have caused tensions. The Indian government summoned the Canadian envoy after posters at a Toronto protest featured inflammatory language against India. While the Khalistan movement has seen a revival among certain vocal factions in Canada, it is not as widely supported in Punjab. Some commentators suggest internal rivalries within Sikh organizations in Canada may have been a factor in Nijjar's murder. Accusations and counter-accusations between Sikhs, security experts, and Indian commentators regarding the Khalistan movement and the deaths of its proponents persist. Both Canada and India have accused each other of interfering in their respective domestic affairs. These tensions have strained diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. While some argue that Canada should take a stronger stance against foreign interference by India, others believe that Canada provides a space for open discussions about the Khalistan movement. The Sikh community remains defiant despite Nijjar's death, determined to continue advocating for Sikh sovereignty.