India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, stated on Tuesday that India has informed Canada of its willingness to investigate any “specific” or “relevant” information provided regarding the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted that Ottawa possessed credible intelligence implicating Indian agents in the murder. This statement initially triggered a robust and vehement response from New Delhi, which vehemently denies the allegation.
During a Council on Foreign Relations event in New York, Jaishankar elaborated on India’s response in diplomatic discussions when asked about the allegations.
“One, we told the Canadians that this is not the government of India’s policy,” he said.
Two, we told the Canadians that look, if you have something specific, if you have something relevant, you know, let us know — we are open to looking at it, cited by Reuters.
Last week, India suspended new visas for Canadians and requested a reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence, citing concerns over a deteriorating security situation.
India has persistently pressed Canada regarding its assertions of organized criminal elements operating within the country, explicitly referring to separatist figures like Nijjar.
This ongoing pressure from India has included many extradition requests related to these individuals.
“The picture is incomplete without context,” Indian FM said. “You also have to appreciate that in the last few years, Canada has seen much-organized crime, you know, relating to, you know, the secessionist forces, organized crime, violence, extremism, they are all very, very deeply mixed up,” reported by Reuters.
Canada’s allies, notably the United States, have expressed reservations about the claims and have called on India to collaborate with Canada’s investigation. The US ambassador to Canada revealed that information regarding the case had been collected through the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
