In a significant development, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on Friday that three individuals have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of prominent Sikh-Canadian activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The incident, which occurred on June 18, 2023, outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, shocked the nation and triggered widespread condemnation.

Months after the shooting, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voiced concerns over the potential involvement of Indian government agents in Nijjar's killing. He called it an "unacceptable violation of our sovereignty" and urged the government of India to cooperate with Canada to uncover the truth.

India vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated and absurd. The Indian government accused Canada of failing to address what they labeled as "Sikh extremism" and anti-India activism. However, human rights groups have long criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for targeting political opponents, journalists, and religious minorities, including Sikhs and Muslims, claiming it to be an attempt to suppress dissent.

Tensions between Canada and India were already high due to the Khalistan movement, a campaign seeking a sovereign state in India's Punjab region, which has garnered support within Canada's Sikh community. Nijjar, who served as president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, was one of the advocates for Khalistan.

The recent arrests shed light on allegations of Indian foreign interference, particularly within Sikh diaspora communities in Canada, the United States, and other countries. In September, it was revealed that Nijjar and four other Sikh leaders had been warned about threats to their lives by the RCMP's national security division in 2022.

According to CBC News, the individuals arrested on Friday were allegedly involved in various roles on the day of Nijjar's killing, including shooters, drivers, and spotters. The RCMP had been closely monitoring the suspects for several months before their arrest.

The implications of Nijjar's assassination stretch beyond Canada's borders. Reports have emerged of an alleged plot to kill another prominent Sikh separatist leader in the United States following Nijjar's death. In late November, charges were filed against an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, accused of participating in a foiled attempt to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen. US intelligence agencies have claimed that the Indian government's foreign intelligence agency, RAW, approved the operation to target Pannun, a claim the Indian government vehemently denied.

The recent developments have caught the attention of the White House, with spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre stating that the report by The Washington Post concerning the alleged Indian involvement is "a serious matter." The US government expects a thorough investigation and accountability from India, and will continue to raise concerns with New Delhi.

As the investigations into Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder continue, the arrests mark a significant step forward in unraveling the truth behind this tragic incident. The outcomes of these investigations will have far-reaching implications for the Sikh community, the relationship between Canada and India, and the struggle for justice.