US Backs Canada's Charge Against New Delhi on Nijjar Killing as India Holds Ground

Washington: Amid an escalation in diplomatic row between India and Cana over Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, United States has alleged that India is not cooperating with Cana on latter’s investigation into killing.

“When it comes to Canian matter, we have me clear that allegations are extremely serious and y need to be taken seriously. We wanted to see government of India cooperate with Cana in its investigation. Obviously, y have not chosen that path,” news agency PTI quoted State Department spokesperson Matw Miller as saying.

What Led to India-Cana Diplomatic Row?

Earlier on Monday, Canian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused Indian government officials of being involved in assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was shot de in last June in Surrey.

“ RCMP has clear and compelling evidence that agents of Government of India have engaged in, and continue to engage in, activities that pose a significant threat to public safety. This includes clandestine information garing techniques, coercive behaviour targeting South Asian Canians, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder. This is unacceptable,” Trudeau has alleged.

India-Cana Diplomatic Ties Hit Rock Bottom

Notably, Trudeau govt has thus far not provided any concrete evidence to support its claim.  

As diplomatic ties between two nations suffered anor setback, India, rebuffing Ottawa's allegation, not only recalled its High Commissioner from Cana and or diplomats but also ordered explusion of six of Canian diplomats from New Delhi.

“Since Prime Minister Trudeau me certain allegations in September 2023, Canian government has not shared a shred of evidence with Government of India, despite many requests from our side. This latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts. This leaves little doubt that on pretext of an investigation, re is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains,” Ministry of External Affairs said.

“Prime Minister Trudeau’s hostility to India has long been in evidence. In 2018, his visit to India, which was aimed at currying favour with a vote bank, rebounded to his discomfort. His Cabinet has included individuals who have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda regarding India. His naked interference in Indian internal politics in December 2020 showed how far he was willing to go in this regard,” it ded.

Cana ‘Targeting Indian diplomats’: MEA

“That his government was dependent on a political party, whose leer openly espouses a separatist ideology vis-à-vis India, only aggravated matters. Under criticism for turning a blind eye to foreign interference in Canian politics, his government has deliberately brought in India in an attempt to mitigate damage. This latest development targeting Indian diplomats is now next step in that direction. It is no coincidence that it takes place as Prime Minister Trudeau is to depose before a Commission on foreign interference. It also serves anti-India separatist agenda that Trudeau government has constantly pandered to for narrow political gains,” Minister of External Affairs furr ded.

India has claimed that Trudeau government has deliberately provided space to violent extremists and terrorists to harass, threaten and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leers in Cana.

“This has included death threats to m and to Indian leers. All se activities have been justified in name of freedom of speech. Some individuals who have entered Cana illegally have been fast-tracked for citizenship. Multiple extrition requests from Government of India in respect of terrorists and organized crime leers living in Cana have been disregarded,” it said.

However, US has refrained from commenting on India-Cana diplomatic tensions.

“I don't have any comment on that. But as we've said before, y're serious allegations. And we have wanted to see India take m seriously -- seriously and cooperate with Cana's investigation. y have chosen an alternate path,” Miller said. 

(With PTI inputs)