News Brief
India Chose "Alternate Path" Over Cooperation With Canadian Investigation: US Backs Trudeau On Nijjar Killing Allegations
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller
The United States has urged India to take allegations levelled by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau over killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar "seriously" and cooperate with Canada.
ITensions have escalated between Canada and India after Trudeau last year alleged Indian government links to the 2023 murder of citizen and Khalistani movement leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia.
India has denied the accusations and blamed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for "playing vote bank politics".
However, the diplomatic ties between the two countries sunk to a new low this week, as both the countries expelled six diplomats each from the other country.
This came after Trudeau, who is facing revolt within the ruling Liberal party against his leadership, alleged that India's involvement in the incident "went beyond what was previously known" and that New Delhi made a "fundamental error".
With the India-Canada ties hitting new lows, US is apparently siding with its NATO ally Canada.
"When it comes to the Canadian matter, we have made clear that the allegations are extremely seriously – serious, and they need to be taken seriously, and we wanted to see the Government of India cooperate with Canada in its investigation. Obviously, they have not chosen that path," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Tuesday (15 October).
"As we’ve said before, they’re serious allegations and we have wanted to see India take them seriously and cooperate with Canada’s investigation. They have chosen an alternate path," he added.
The latest Indian rebuttal coincided with Trudeau's efforts to shore support for his unsubstantiated claims against India with outreach to its western allies – UK, New Zealand, alongside the US and Australia.
These nations form the Five Eyes intelligence alliance with Canada.
Interestingly, over the past four to five decades, all members of the Five Eyes alliance have become safe havens for Khalistani terrorists.
The US, which also harbours Khalistani extremists who are designated terrorist by India, too had made similar allegations against New Delhi but unlike Trudeau, chose to raise the issue diplomatically.
US has alleged India's hand in the unsuccessful plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
In response to the US allegations, India formed an enquiry committee, which is reportedly on a visit to the United States to discuss the case.
