Trudeau asserts India’s potential involvement in Nijjar killing based on ‘credible allegations’
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that national security agencies are investigating credible allegations of the involvement of the “agents of the government of India” in the killing of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau addressed the House of Commons, describing the matter as extremely serious. He urged the Indian government to cooperate in the investigation and to affirm its commitment to international law regarding extrajudicial operations. Additionally, Canada has expelled a key Indian diplomat, identified as Pavan Kumar Rai, who served as the head of the Canadian operations for India’s foreign intelligence agency. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly expressed Canada’s expectation for full collaboration from India and plans to raise the issue during the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in New York. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent advocate of the Khalistan movement, was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June, sparking protests from the Sikh community in Canada. The tension between Canada and India has been ongoing, and the issue of foreign interference in Canada is now being investigated through a public inquiry. Sikh leaders in Canada welcome the government’s acknowledgment but call for further action to hold India accountable.
