New Delhi:
The US has called on India to investigate Canada’s investigation into “very serious allegations” linking Indian government “agents” to the murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist, in Vancouver last June. asked for cooperation.
At a news conference in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States has made clear that Canada’s claims “need to be taken seriously.”
“When it comes to the Canadian issue, we have made it clear that the allegations are very serious. We were hoping that the Indian government would work with Canada… but clearly they were not going to do that,” Miller said in a US interview. I didn’t choose it,” he said. Reporter’s questions regarding the “second round” of the Delhi-Ottawa crisis.
The United States, which has been cautious since the unrest erupted last September, similarly refrained on Tuesday, only emphasizing the need for cooperation between the two countries.
“I have no comment beyond what both countries have said publicly. We have encouraged and will continue to encourage both countries to work together,” Miller said.
New Delhi has yet to respond to these comments, but has repeatedly rejected the “absurd” and “motivated” allegations. Derry has repeatedly called for evidence and said the charges are aimed at boosting Trudeau’s popularity ahead of next year’s general election.
Read | “Insane imposition”: Prime Minister Trudeau's escalation, India’s strong rebuttal
Meanwhile, Mr. Miller also emphasized the strength of India-US relations.
“India continues to be a very strong partner. We have worked with India on many matters, including our shared vision of a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We also have concerns. If so, you can resolve their concerns by having a frank conversation with them…” he said.
The Indo-Canada crisis, which has been smoldering for the past year and a half, erupted in September last year after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused “agents” in Delhi of being involved in Nijjar’s murder. He claimed that “credible information” had been shared with intelligence partners, including the United States.
But India said no evidence had been presented to support the charges.
The accusations in September sparked tensions between the Indian side and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with strong reactions and the retaliatory expulsion of diplomats.
Read | Nijjar murder, Bishnoi gang and trade negotiations: How India-Canada relations have deteriorated
This week, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said that Indian government “operatives” were colluding with organized crime elements, particularly the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, to “target[Canada’s]South Asian community…particularly pro-Khalistani elements.” ” and relations deteriorated further.
Read | ‘Bishnoi gang has ties to Indian government officials’: Canadian police claim
Prime Minister Trudeau then held a press conference in which he supported the police charges and criticized the “fundamental error” in believing that India “could support criminal activity against Canadians here on Canadian soil.” did.
“Whether it’s murder, extortion or any other act of violence, it’s completely unacceptable,” Trudeau said, adding that his government “shared concerns” with Delhi.
Read | Prime Minister Trudeau doubles down on charges over India-Canada diplomatic dispute
He said Canadian police had consulted with Indian government officials but had been rebuffed.
The Canadian Federal Police allegation was that diplomats from both sides were once again expelled. Now, Ottawa has removed Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s high commissioner and career diplomat, by naming him a “person of interest” in an ongoing criminal investigation.
Furious, India retaliated by expelling Canada’s acting high commissioner, Stewart Wheeler, and five staff members, citing security concerns, and formally recalling Verma and her staff.
Nijjar, the leader of the banned terrorist organization Khalistan Tiger Force, was on Delhi’s list of “most wanted” terrorists for multiple crimes, including the murder of a Hindu priest in Punjab. The anti-terror agency NIA had offered a reward of Rs 1 million for information leading to his arrest.
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