In October, the Canadian authorities provoked India by naming the Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma as a“person of interest” in their probe into Nijjar's killing. New Delhi retaliated by summoning Ottawa's Charge d'Affaires and lodging a strong protest, before withdrawing the Indian envoy and expelling six Canadian diplomats.

The prime ministers of India and Canada condemned violence that broke out on Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the countries. Videos posted on social media appeared to show people hitting each other with flagpoles and throwing punches in the Toronto suburb of Brampton.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Modi said: “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”