Opinion: The Other 'K' Factor - An Issue For India Or Distraction For Trudeau?

The K word has long been associated with Kashmir for India in geopolitics and diplomacy but now another K - Khalistan - has emerged as vastly contentious, souring ties between India and Canada.

In the latest statement that is sure to raise hackles in New Delhi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau made the statement in the House of Commons as the Canadian parliament convened on Monday, "Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty," he said, as reported by Canadian media.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly later announced that Canada had also expelled a top Indian diplomat over the issue.