Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has expressed his objections to the premature conviction of India in the investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Verma has urged Canada to provide evidence to support its allegations and stated that India is willing to investigate any specific and relevant information provided by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
During an interview with CTV news channel, Verma was questioned about Trudeau’s allegations regarding the Indian government’s potential involvement in Nijjar’s murder. In response, Verma questioned the rule of law, stating that India was convicted without the investigation being concluded. He argued that when a country is asked to cooperate, it implies that they have already been convicted and must comply.
Verma clarified that India is open to investigating any specific and relevant information provided by Canada. However, he emphasized that Canada has not presented any evidence to support its claims of Indian involvement in the killing. The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed this lack of evidence.
The strained relationship between India and Canada escalated when Trudeau made these allegations earlier this year. The murder of Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, has been a point of contention between the two countries.
Recently, India resumed electronic visa services for eligible Canadian citizens, effective from November 22, 2023. This decision followed a review of the security situation and marked a step towards improving diplomatic relations.
In October, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India and suspended visa and consular services in the Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru consulates. This action was in response to India’s decision to strip the Canadian diplomats of their immunity. India had expressed concerns about the disproportionate number of Canadian diplomats in the country and requested parity in diplomatic strength.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that this news article has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
