'Did not choose that path…': US says India is not cooperating with Canada in the investigation of Nijjar's murder

By News Update On Oct 16, 2024

Tensions between Canada and India escalated on Tuesday after the US claimed India was not cooperating with Canada's investigation into the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. During the press briefing, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying, “When it comes to the Canadian case, we have made clear that the allegations are extremely serious and should be taken seriously. We wanted the Indian government to cooperate with Canada in its investigation. Obviously, he has not chosen that path.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau escalated the controversy a day earlier by alleging that Indian government officials were involved in the killing of Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, last June. Trudeau claimed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has “clear and strong evidence” showing that agents of the Indian government are engaged in activities that threaten public safety.

He cited “covert intelligence gathering techniques, coercive behavior targeting South Asian Canadians and engaging in more than a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder.” He termed these actions as “unacceptable”. India has strongly denied these allegations. In response to Trudeau's claims, India not only recalled its High Commissioner from Canada but also expelled six Canadian diplomats posted in New Delhi.

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying, “Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Government of Canada has not shared even a shred of evidence with the Government of India despite our multiple requests. “This latest step follows conversations in which claims have again been made without any basis in fact.” The ministry accused the Trudeau government of a deliberate strategy to defame India for political gains. The statement said, “Prime Minister Trudeau's hostility towards India has been visible for a long time. In 2018, his visit to India with the aim of wooing the vote bank made him uncomfortable.” It criticized the Trudeau administration, saying it was allegedly serving individuals with extremist agendas and that the government was dependent on a political party whose leaders support separatist ideologies regarding India.

The Indian government further claimed that the Trudeau administration has provided a platform for violent extremists and terrorists to intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada, including through death threats and denial of citizenship to individuals who entered Canada illegally. Faster process has been cited. He also noted that several extradition requests from India related to terrorists and organized crime leaders living in Canada have been ignored.

Meanwhile, the United States chose to remain neutral on the diplomatic rift between India and Canada. Asked for comment, Miller reiterated the seriousness of the allegations but said, “I have no comment on it. But as we've said before, they are serious allegations. And we want India to take them seriously – seriously and cooperate with Canada's investigation. He has chosen an alternative path.”