Canada gives yet another blow to India over Sikh leader assassination
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India announced on Thursday that Canada's Senate speaker, Raymonde Gagne, will not be attending a two-day G20 event in New Delhi this week.
This decision comes as diplomatic relations remain strained following Canada's investigation into allegations connecting Indian agents to the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader.
The two-day parliamentary speakers' summit, part of India's year-long presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies, will commence on Friday and Speaker Gagne will be absent.
Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi emphasized that participation in G20 events is at the discretion of the members. The Canadian Senate had not immediately responded to Reuters' request for comment.
Indian media reported that Canada would be represented by the Senate speaker, as mentioned by India's lower house speaker. Tensions between India and Canada escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly expressed suspicions that New Delhi's agents were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen in a Vancouver suburb on June 18.
India dismissed this allegation, resulting in the expulsion of diplomats from both countries. Furthermore, India suspended the issuance of new visas for Canadians and called on Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in India.
Bagchi stated that India is maintaining contact with Canada at various levels and remains committed to ensuring parity in terms of Canadian diplomatic representation.
