India Asks Canada for Evidence in Hardeep Nijjar Killing Case
London: India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has stated that India is open to investigating Canada’s allegations of Indian government agents’ involvement in the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in Canada. However, Jaishankar has requested that Canada provide evidence to support its claims.
During a conversation with veteran journalist Lionel Barber titled ‘How a Billion People See the World’ in London, Jaishankar responded to questions by stating, “If you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence because we are not ruling out an investigation.” He emphasized that Canada has not yet shared any evidence with India to substantiate its allegations.
The relationship between India and Canada has become strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in September that there was “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India has dismissed Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Jaishankar highlighted the importance of responsible freedom of speech and expression, stating that the misuse of these freedoms for political purposes is wrong. He pointed out the pro-Khalistani activities in Canada and the attacks on the High Commission of India, where Indian diplomats were intimidated in public without any action taken by Canadian authorities against the culprits.
In response to Trudeau’s allegations and concerns over increasing pro-Khalistani activities in Canada, India temporarily suspended visa issuance to Canadian citizens and requested Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country. However, last month, India resumed some visa services in Canada after a temporary suspension.
Regarding China, Jaishankar stated that the deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020 has negatively affected the relationship between India and China. He criticized China for not adhering to the agreements of 1993 and 1996, which prohibited the accumulation of troops at the Line of Actual Control. Jaishankar emphasized that such violations of agreements have consequences in terms of credibility.
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