The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated on Thursday that India has not received any “specific or relevant evidence” from Canada regarding the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, for which three Indian nationals have been arrested.
Nijjar, who was designated as a terrorist by India, was killed in Surrey last June. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed in September that Indian government agents were involved in Nijjar’s shooting. However, India strongly rejected these allegations and asked Canada to furnish proof. It also urged Ottawa to take measures to curb the increasing anti-Indian activities of Khalistani groups operating in the country with immunity.
‘Political interests at work’
#WATCH | “…Canada has informed us about the arrest. But we have not got any formal communication…,” says MEA Spokesperson on three Indians arrested in Canada in Nijjar killing“No specific or relevant evidence or information has been given to us in this matter,” adds MEA… pic.twitter.com/yCTh6D1hwa
— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2024
‘No specific or relevant evidence’
“Let me first make it clear that no specific or relevant evidence or information has been shared by the Canadian authorities till date. You will therefore understand our view that the matter is being pre-judged. Obviously, there are political interests at work. We have long maintained that separatists, extremists, and those advocating violence have been given political space in Canada,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly press conference.
“Our diplomats have been threatened with impunity and obstructed in their performance of duties. We have also pointed to the Canadian authorities that figures associated with organized crime with links with India have been allowed entry and residency in Canada. Many of our extradition requests are pending. We are having discussions at the diplomatic level on all these matters,” he added.
‘Killed on Canadian soil’
These remarks come as Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly this week reiterated Ottawa’s stance on the allegation that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Nijjar. “Canada’s position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents,” Joly told the media on Tuesday.
Joly’s statement follows Canada’s arrest of three Indian nationals, accused of being part of an alleged hit squad responsible for Nijjar’s murder in British Columbia last year. Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22, all Indian nationals, face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The Canadian foreign minister further said that the investigation into Nijjar’s killing is being conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
(With agency inputs)
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