Indian Diplomat Challenges Canada to Provide Evidence in Terrorist Murder Case
India’s top diplomat in Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has called on the Canadian government to present evidence to support its claim that “Indian agents” were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had publicly accused Indian agents of the murder in September, leading to a strain in bilateral relations between the two countries.
Verma, the Indian High Commissioner, stated in an interview with The Globe and Mail that India has not received any credible evidence from Canada or its allies regarding the alleged involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing. He questioned the lack of specific or relevant information provided to assist India in the investigation. Verma also expressed concerns that the investigation had been tainted by a high-level directive implicating India or Indian agents without conclusive evidence.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the 45-year-old chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18. He was considered one of India’s most wanted terrorists, with a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
The strained relations between Canada and India intensified when India revoked the diplomatic immunity of 41 Canadian diplomats in late September, resulting in their expulsion by October 20.
Canadian intelligence sources claim to have intercepted communications and received intelligence from an undisclosed Five Eyes ally, an intelligence-sharing alliance comprised of the US, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, linking Indian operatives to Nijjar’s killing. Verma, however, firmly denied any Indian involvement and emphasized that diplomatic conversations are privileged and cannot be used as evidence in court or made public.
When asked if Canada had sought the extradition of any suspects in the case, Verma responded that such conversations are confidential between the two governments. He highlighted that India had made 26 extradition requests to Canada over the past five to six years, but none had been processed.
Verma also disclosed that he has been provided security protection by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) due to threats to his safety. The Indian High Commissioner’s office released images of posters circulating online and appearing in public places in Vancouver and Toronto, targeting Verma and the Indian consuls general in those cities. These posters label the diplomats as “enemies of Canada” and make false accusations against them, including operating a “terror house” and offering bounties for their assassinations. Verma expressed concern about his safety and that of his colleagues.
Despite the strained relations, Verma expressed India’s willingness to restart trade negotiations with Canada. He called for professional communication and dialogue to mend diplomatic ties. Verma also urged Canada to prevent its soil from being used by Canadian citizens who support the Khalistan movement, which seeks to dismember India and challenge its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
