India-Canada diplomatic standoff over Sikh leader's murder escalates

Driving the news: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a briefing Monday there's now "clear and compelling evidence that agents of the government of India have engaged in and continue to engage in activities that pose a significant threat to public safety."

• This evidence uncovered by Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigators included "clandestine information gathering techniques, coercive behaviour targeting South Asian Canadians, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder," Trudeau said.
• "I think it is obvious that the government of India made a fundamental error in thinking that they could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canadians, here on Canadian soil," he added.
• "Whether it be murders or extortion or other violent acts, it is absolutely unacceptable."

The other side: India's Foreign Ministry said it was expelling six Canadian diplomats, including acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, and withdrawing its high commissioner to Canada and other officials in response to Canada's latest accusations.

• "We have no faith in the current Canadian Government's commitment to ensure their security," per the foreign ministry statement.
• It was also conveyed that India reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau government's support for extremism, violence and separatism against India.

Background: Nijjar advocated for the creation of an independent Sikh state that would include parts of India's Punjab state and was declared a wanted terrorist by India.