Trudeau urges Indian government to cooperate in Nijjar murder investigation
- In Reports
- 11:48 AM, Oct 15, 2024
- Myind Staff
On October 14, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated Canada’s commitment to the investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau stated, "Canada is a country rooted in the rule of law, and the protection of our citizens is paramount. That is why, when our law enforcement and intelligence services began pursuing credible allegations that agents of the Government of India were directly involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil – we responded."
Trudeau emphasised that his government had shared these concerns with India, seeking cooperation to clarify the issue. “We shared our concerns with the Government of India and asked them to work with us to shed light on this important issue. At the same time, police and security agencies have used all the tools at their disposal to keep Canadians safe. Today, given the evidence presented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), we are taking additional steps to protect Canadians,” he added.
As tensions continue to rise between the two nations, former Brigadier (Retd) Rahul Bhonsle criticised the allegations. “During the last one year, the Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau, has made two allegations against India, directly towards PM Modi. First regarding the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case... and now indicating that Indian diplomats are involved in creating disruptions in Canada. This allegation is preposterous,” Bhonsle said. He defended the professionalism of Indian diplomats, describing the accusation as a “desperate” political move by Trudeau to gain support from the Sikh community.
Bhonsle added that Canada is facing internal challenges, and these allegations are aimed at damaging India-Canada relations. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India has also strongly rejected Trudeau's claims as baseless and politically motivated.
The RCMP also released a statement regarding “violent criminal activity” linked to agents of the Indian government, addressing concerns over violent extremism impacting both countries, connections between Indian government agents and violent acts, and the use of organised crime to create a perception of an unsafe environment for the South Asian community in Canada. The statement emphasised that there is an ongoing investigation into these serious issues.
India's MEA criticised Canada’s diplomatic communication, asserting that it suggested Indian diplomats were “persons of interest” in the investigation. The MEA firmly rejected these claims, stating, “The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau government cantered around vote bank politics.” In response, the MEA summoned Canadian Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler, informing him that the “baseless targeting of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable.”
Following the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats from India, foreign policy expert Sushant Sareen called for an investigation into Canadian interference in India’s internal matters. He emphasised the need to scrutinise Canadian NGOs and embassies that support Khalistani elements. Sareen stated, “If you say this about any official that they will be investigated, then it becomes completely dishonest for them to stay in the country.”
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent leader of the Khalistan movement, was shot in June 2023. India had designated him a terrorist in 2020 for alleged involvement in violence. The longstanding issues between India and Canada regarding Sikh separatism have strained their diplomatic relations. Despite this, the two countries have maintained strong defence and trade ties and share strategic concerns over China’s global ambitions. Former RLD MP Malook Nagar expressed support for India’s actions, stating that any statement against India “cannot be tolerated at any cost,” reflecting the sentiments of many in India regarding the ongoing diplomatic tensions.
As the investigation continues, the relationship between Canada and India hangs in the balance, with both governments needing to navigate these turbulent waters carefully.
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