Canada Stands Firm on Allegations, Urges India’s Engagement in Probe

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has urged India to engage with Canada’s investigation into the alleged involvement of ‘Indian agents’ in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

She deemed India’s decision to remove 41 Canadian diplomats as “unacceptable.” Joly, expressing concern over the deteriorating diplomatic relations, emphasized the importance of India engaging in the probe. Referring to “credible allegations” against India, she called for collaboration to ensure the investigation’s progress.

Joly mentioned discussions with US Secretary of State Blinken on the matter, citing the US Justice Department’s charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta for an alleged murder plot against Khalistani sympathizer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Despite India dismissing the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated,” Joly affirmed Canada’s commitment to its claims. She is in contact with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging India to cooperate with the investigation. India formed a high-level committee to probe the US charges. The ongoing tension stems from Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau implicating Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing, a claim vehemently denied by India.