The United States has conveyed its “deep concern” regarding Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent allegations implicating the Indian government in the fatal shooting of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau had publicly asserted that the Indian government was responsible for Nijjar’s shooting outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on June 18.
Call for Cooperation and Justice: The U.S. called upon the Indian government to cooperate fully with the ongoing Canadian investigation into the matter and to ensure that those responsible for the incident are brought to justice.
During a press briefing on October 3, Vedant Patel, the U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, emphasized the significance of Canada’s investigation. Patel stated, “We continue to be deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau, and we remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners.” He further added, “Canada’s investigation proceeds, and perpetrators must be brought to justice. We also have publicly and privately urged the Indian government to cooperate in the Canadian investigation.”
Background of the Allegations: Trudeau’s allegations were made during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, where he suggested that Canada’s national security officials had credible reasons to suspect that agents of the Indian government played a role in Nijjar’s killing. India swiftly rejected these allegations, categorizing them as both “absurd” and “motivated.” Notably, Canada has not yet provided any public evidence to substantiate the claims made by Trudeau.
Canada’s Stance on Cooperation: Despite the diplomatic tensions stemming from these allegations, Trudeau emphasized Canada’s desire to work constructively with India to address the issue. The situation underscores the need for ongoing dialogue between the two nations to navigate through this challenging diplomatic episode.
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