Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused the Indian government of orchestrating violence in Canada, specifically targeting Sikh separatists.

During an inquiry on foreign interference, Trudeau claimed that India violated Canada's sovereignty by targeting Sikh dissidents, calling it a "horrific mistake."                                       

The tensions between the two countries escalated after the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a proponent of an independent Khalistani state, in Vancouver in June 2023. Canada linked Indian agents to the killing, though India denied involvement, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated.

Canada-India ties could take a long time to recover

India and Canada expelled each other's top diplomats in response to the dispute.

Trudeau also said that Nijjar’s murder is part of a broader Indian effort to target dissidents in Canada. Despite valuing trade relations with India, Trudeau emphasized the importance of defending Canada's sovereignty.

In a related development, the U.S. has also accused India of being involved in a plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist in the United States. A recent meeting between the U.S. and India about the investigation was described as productive.