Finance
New Delhi:The Canadian Defence Minister called the relationship with India “important” amid strained ties, but asserted that authorities should investigate allegations over the killing of a Khalistani terrorist.
Here are the top 10 updates on India-Canada row
- The statement comes days after Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked up a massive diplomatic row between the two countries over the murder of Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- “We understand that this can be, and has proven to be, a challenging issue with respect to our relationship with India. Global News quoted Defence Minister Bill Blair as saying, “But at the same time, we have the responsibility to make sure that we conduct a thorough investigation and get to the truth.
- “If the allegations are proven true, there is a very significant concern that Canada will have with respect to the violation of our sovereignty,” he said.
- Top US diplomat David Cohen claimed that it was the “shared intelligence among ‘Five Eyes’ partners that had prompted Justin Trudeau go public with his big charge against India.
- Last week, the Canada Prime Minister made the explosive charge that “Indian government agents” could be behind the shooting of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- India rejected the allegation as “absurd”. Canada has shared no specific information regarding its charges, India said, flagging “politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence” in that country. The foreign ministry has advised its nationals in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise “utmost caution”
- Justin Trudeau also stated that his government had shared such “credible allegations” with India weeks ago. “Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India. We did that many weeks ago. We are there to work constructively with India. We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter,” he told a news conference on Saturday.
- Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, stated that Washington is “deeply concerned” about the allegations and emphasized their desire to see accountability in the case.
- India has also accused Canada of not acting upon “specific evidence about criminal activities” done by Canada-based individuals. Sources said that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has compiled a list of 19 fugitive Khalistani terrorists residing in countries such as the UK, US, Canada, Dubai, Pakistan, and others. There is also an anticipation that authorities may subject their properties to confiscation.
- In June, a 45-year-old man named Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in British Columbia, Canada. He was chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force and one of India’s most wanted terrorists.
