Canada’s allegations
A United States State Department official has verified that the US government has issued a request to the Indian government for collaboration in the investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Additionally, the US government has expressed apprehension regarding the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the State Department, conveyed deep concern over the Canada’s allegations. He also mentioned ongoing communication with the Canadian government concerning this matter.
Miller refrained from confirming whether the United States was the ally that had shared intelligence implicating Indian officials in the murder.
He emphasized the importance of the Canadian investigation progressing and the individuals responsible being brought to justice.
He stated, “We firmly believe that Canada’s investigative process must continue, and those responsible must be held accountable.”
Last week Prime Minister Trudeau had informed the House of Commons that his government was examining ‘credible’ information suggesting potential involvement of the Indian government in the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Canada in June.
Meanwhile, Canadian Sikh leaders have called for peaceful protests outside the Indian embassies.
A Canadian Sikh group has urged its members to protest outside the main Canadian cities’ Indian diplomatic missions. The protest aims at voicing Sikhs concerns over India’s involvement in murder of a Sikh leader in Ottawa, Canada.
Last week, Trudeau stated that Canada was pursuing “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He was shot dead outside a Sikh temple on June 18 in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a high Sikh population.
India swiftly denied any role in the killing and labeled the allegations as “absurd.” The accusations have escalated tensions between the two countries, resulting in both nations expelling diplomats, and New Delhi suspending visas for Canadians.
Jatinder Singh Grewal, a director for Sikh for Justice in Canada, told Reuters on Sunday that his organization would lead the demonstrations outside the Indian embassies and consulates in Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver to increase public awareness about Nijjar’s killing.
“We are asking Canada to expel the Indian ambassador,” Grewal said.
Representatives for India’s diplomatic missions in Ottawa and Toronto were not immediately available for comment.
The report stated that the intelligence included communications of Indian officials present in Canada, adding that some of the information was provided by an unidentified ally in the Five Eyes alliance.
