Three Indian men have been charged with the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, a case that has escalated diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. The suspects, Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh, who had been living in Canada for three to five years but were not permanent residents, were arrested in Edmonton, Alberta, and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government agents of orchestrating the killing, a claim India dismissed as "absurd." This accusation led to India forcing the withdrawal of over 40 Canadian diplomats. Canada, however, claims to have strong evidence, supported by U.S. intelligence, linking India to the murder. A federal indictment in New York has also connected the Indian government to another plot against a Sikh separatist.

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and leader in the Khalistan movement, was ambushed and killed in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June. He had been targeted by the Indian state, which labeled him a terrorist and sought his arrest. Canadian police had warned Nijjar and other Sikh leaders about threats to their lives. The investigation into Nijjar's death had been ongoing with little information released until the arrests. Superintendent Mandeep Mooker indicated that the investigation would continue, suggesting more individuals might be implicated. Relations with India during the investigation were described as challenging. The arrests have intensified diplomatic disputes. Trudeau accused India of involvement based on intelligence from Canadian and U.S. sources, leading to strained relations and Canada's reduction of its diplomatic presence in India. India denied the allegations and retaliated by threatening to revoke diplomatic immunity for Canadian diplomats.

The Sikh community in Canada remains concerned about broader accountability and the involvement of Indian officials in these plots.