The diplomatic landscape is increasingly shaped by allegations of transnational repression, a strategy purportedly employed by nations to exert control beyond their borders.

Recently, this approach has drawn intense scrutiny following allegations that India was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist leader, on Canadian soil. This incident has not only strained India-Canada relations but also raised serious questions about the extent to which India is willing to go in pursuing its geopolitical objectives.

In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed that his government possessed credible evidence implicating Indian government agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot outside a Sikh cultural centre in British Columbia. The accusations suggest that Indian officials sanctioned covert operations within Canada, specifically targeting pro-Khalistani figures like Nijjar. According to reports from The Washington Post, intercepted communications by Canadian authorities mentioned India’s Home Minister Amit Shah and a senior officer from the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), directly implicating them in orchestrating actions against dissidents abroad.

The fallout from these allegations has been severe. Canada expelled several Indian diplomats, accusing them of involvement in violent acts and intelligence-gathering operations targeting Sikh activists. In response, India expelled a similar number of Canadian diplomats, framing their removal as a measure to ensure the safety of its own diplomatic personnel. This tit-for-tat expulsion has turned a serious diplomatic dispute into a full-blown crisis, illustrating the depths of distrust between the two nations.

The situation escalated further when........

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