India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has explained why India is cooperating with the American investigation into an alleged thwarted assassination attempt, but not Canada’s probe into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. According to Verma, the disparity lies in the information shared by both nations during their investigations.
Verma stated that the US authorities have provided more specific information to India regarding their investigation, which has led to India’s higher level of cooperation in that case. On the other hand, Canada has not shared the same level of detailed information, resulting in India’s limited cooperation.
Recently, the UK-based Financial Times reported that the US had foiled a plot to assassinate India-designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. The US had informed India about concerns regarding this alleged plot. In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s killing, which India vehemently denied and called politically motivated.
Verma emphasized that India was not involved in Nijjar’s homicide, dismissing the allegations as “motivated and absurd.” He explained that India’s cooperation in the American investigation is based on legally presentable inputs provided by the US.
Regarding Canada’s inputs on Nijjar’s killing, Verma stated that India cannot respond as conversations may contain some facts of the case, but they do not make it specific and relevant. He stressed the need for specific information to seek permission from legal authorities to conduct an investigation.
Verma revealed that the inputs shared by the US with India involve a nexus between gangsters, drug peddlers, terrorists, and gun runners in the US, with some Indian connections. However, he clarified that these connections are not associated with the government of India.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the US had shared inputs on the nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others during recent discussions on India-US security cooperation. The relevant departments are examining these inputs, and both countries are taking necessary follow-up actions.
In conclusion, India’s response to the American and Canadian investigations differs due to the varying levels of information shared. India is cooperating more with the US investigation because of the specific and detailed inputs provided, while the limited information sharing from Canada has resulted in India’s limited cooperation in their probe.
