Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has admitted that he had only intelligence when he accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistan militant Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. There was no concrete evidence.
The Trudeau government had earlier claimed that it had handed over evidence linked to the Nijjar massacre to India. At the same time, India says that Canada has not provided any evidence related to the murder. Following Trudeau's statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday (October 17) that the Canadian PM is responsible for the deterioration in relations between the two countries.
Here, a committee of inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian politics was formed. Trudeau appeared in it on Wednesday. In which he said – I received secret information from the Five Eyes countries, which made it clear that India was involved in the killing of its citizens on Canadian soil.
My intention was only to talk to the Government of India. When I did this they asked us for proof. We said then that we have intelligence, there is no concrete evidence at this time. So we need to work together.
– Justin Trudeau
Justice Trudeau appeared before a committee set up to investigate foreign interference on Wednesday.
Trudeau told the inquiry committee – India did not help in the investigation
Trudeau told the inquiry committee that he hoped India would handle the matter responsibly so that relations between the two countries would not deteriorate, but Indian officials had not helped us in the investigation. Trudeau said there are clear indications that India has targeted Sikhs in Canada and violated our sovereignty. Trudeau called India's action a 'big mistake'.
The Ministry of External Affairs said – Trudeau proved our argument right
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that we have been saying the same thing continuously. Canada has not provided any evidence to substantiate the allegations leveled against India and Indian diplomats. The damage done to India-Canada relations due to Trudeau's careless attitude is solely his responsibility.
Five Eyes what is
Five Eyes is an alliance of five countries, which share intelligence inputs with each other. Which includes America, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal blamed the Trudeau government for the sourness in India-Canada relations.
Terrorist Pannu said – gave anti-India information to Canada
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu said in an interview to Canadian news channel CBC News on Wednesday that he had given information to Canada against India. His terrorist organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has been in touch with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau for the past 2-3 years. He briefed Trudeau about the Indian High Commission's intelligence network.
Pannu currently lives in America and runs an organization called Sikhs for Justice. He holds citizenship of both the US and Canada.
The Government of India declared Pannu a terrorist under the UAPA on 1 July 2020.
Events between India and Canada in last 5 days
October 13: Canada sent a letter to India. It said Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and other diplomats are suspects in a case. Canada has not released details of the case, but it is linked to the Nijjar case.
October 14: India protested against the suspicion of its diplomats and summoned the Canadian ambassador. A few hours later, India recalled Sanjay Kumar Verma and other diplomats. Late night news broke that Canada has also ordered the return of 6 of its ambassadors from India.
October 15: Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau accused Indian agents of direct involvement in Nijjar's killing.
October 16: Trudeau admitted he had only intelligence when he accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistan militant Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. There was no concrete evidence.
October 17: India said that what Trudeau has said proves India right. Trudeau's careless behavior has damaged Indo-Canada relations. They are responsible for this.
related to India-Canada dispute…
America said in India-Canada dispute – India is not cooperating: Help in investigation; Trudeau's allegation – Indian official involved in killing of Niger
America's statement has also come amid the ongoing dispute between India and Canada over the case of Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The US has accused India of not cooperating with the investigation. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday – Canada's accusations against India are very serious. We want the Government of India to cooperate with Canada in the investigation. India has not done so till date. …
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).