While the diplomatic row was initially triggered due to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations that the Indian government was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the ongoing tensions between India and Canada have been largely fuelled by disagreements over the Sikh separatist Khalistan movement and its active supporters.
[22] Indian Ministry of External Affairs rejected Trudeau's allegations in a statement saying that claims of India's "involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated".
The statement further said that "Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity".
[30] On 18 September 2023, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly announced that Canada had expelled Pavan Kumar Rai — a "senior Indian diplomat".
[31] On 20 September 2023, India warned its citizens due to "growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence" to "exercise utmost caution" in Canada.
[34] On 21 September 2023, Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi announced that India has suspended "temporarily the issuance of visas or providing visa services" for all Canadian nationals in all categories, including e-visas and for Canadian citizens applying from third countries, due to "security threats" against its diplomats.
[44] In April 2024, the Canadian deputy high commissioner was summoned by India after separatist slogans supporting a Sikh homeland were allegedly raised at a Vaisakhi event addressed by Prime Minister Trudeau.
[49][50] In September 2024, RRM Canada examined a number of Indian media outlets and named organisations such as Asian News International (ANI), WION, Aaj Tak, and journalists like Smita Prakash, Palki Sharma, and Anand Ranganathan and noted their potential influence on Canadian public opinion in order to promote narratives related to Justin Trudeau, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and Canada–India relations.
In response, India issued a formal protest calling the claims of Shah's involvement 'absurd and baseless', with a spokesperson from the Indian Foreign Ministry further stating "such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties”.
[61][17] On November 22, 2024, Nathalie G. Drouin from the Privy Council Office stated that the Canadian Government is “not aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada"[62] In June 2024, Modi and Trudeau met briefly at the 50th G7 summit in Italy, signaling a resumption of dialogue and a reduction in diplomatic tensions.
[67][66] Canadian officials said they had evidence of the involvement of the Indian government in various home invasions, drive-by shootings, arson and two homicides, those of Nijjar and of Sukhdool Singh, shot in Winnipeg on 20 September 2023.
[71][72] After Verma's expulsion, he alleged there being a significant presence and infiltration of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada's law and order institutions, defense forces, and the Canadian Parliament.
[74] A spokesperson for the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said that they "do not agree with the decisions taken by the Indian government that have resulted in a number of Canadian diplomats departing India".
The statement added that they "continue to encourage India to engage with Canada on its independent investigation into the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar".
[76][77] According to Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center think-tank, "this may be the lowest level to which this relationship has sunk.