17 Oct 2024

India's alleged interference in Canada was 'horrific mistake,' Justin Trudeau says

8:26 am on 17 October 2024
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a press conference on October 14, 2024, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, after Canada expelled six top Indian diplomats, including the country's ambassador. - India and Canada each expelled the other's ambassador and five other top diplomats, after New Delhi said its envoy had been named among "persons of interest" following the 2023 murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader. (Photo by Dave Chan / AFP)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a press conference on 14 October 2024, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, after Canada expelled six top Indian diplomats, including the country's ambassador. Photo: AFP / DAVE CHAN

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says India made "a horrific mistake" by thinking it could interfere as aggressively as it allegedly did in Canada's sovereignty.

Trudeau made the remark two days after Canada kicked out six Indian diplomats, linking them to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada and alleging a broader effort to target Indian dissidents in the country.

The Canadian leader's comments were the strongest he has made in a year-long dispute that plunged bilateral relations to a new low.

"The Indian government made a horrific mistake in thinking that they could interfere as aggressively as they did in the safety and sovereignty of Canada," he told an independent probe into foreign interference in Canadian politics.

Trudeau said Ottawa could take further steps to ensure Canadians' security but declined to give details.

India denies the allegations of interference and has expelled six Canadian diplomats in a tit-for-tat move.

- Reuters

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