The murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil has put the country on the front pages of newspapers and the front of the minds of political observers around the world. In June, masked gunmen shot and killed Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Last Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadian intelligence had heard “credible allegations” of a link between the assassination and the government of India.

Trudeau made the extraordinary charges in the House of Commons. He claimed there was evidence connecting India to the killing, but he has yet to present proof. Reports suggest Canada has been raising the matter with allies — and India — for weeks. They’ve been working particularly closely with the United States, which has expressed concern about the murder and is asking India to cooperate with the investigation. India denies any involvement.

Both sides have taken retaliatory actions, including the expulsion of diplomats. India has suspended visa applications for Canadian travelers and warned its nationals to exercise caution in Canada. India has also accused Canada of harboring terrorists. The whole affair has taken on the quality of a high-stakes drama with lives, livelihoods, migration, and billions of dollars in trade hanging in the balance.