Pierre Poilievre, the opposition leader, expressed skepticism regarding Trudeau’s approach, questioning the impact on Canada's global standing. Trudeau's allegations, Poilievre hinted, have been hastily delivered without concrete proof. He warned that such actions risk jeopardizing Canada’s economic and diplomatic relations with a key partner, urging more careful navigation of this sensitive matter.
The case centers around Nijjar’s long-standing affiliation with the Khalistan movement, which advocates for a separate Sikh homeland in India's Punjab region. India had long accused him of orchestrating terror activities and declared him a wanted figure. Meanwhile, Trudeau’s statement framed the issue as a grave violation of Canadian sovereignty, accusing India of involvement in the assassination of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.
India’s government has outrightly denied these claims, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.” They have instead pointed to what they see as Canada's leniency toward Sikh separatist elements operating freely within its borders. This diplomatic impasse has affected visa services, trade negotiations, and regional alliances, with neither side showing signs of backing down. While the broader Sikh community in Canada has been vocal, the international ramifications of this conflict are expected to ripple across diplomatic circles globally.