United States: India has said it is ready to investigate any “specific” or “relevant” information provided by Canada regarding the killing of Sikh separatist Mr. Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau said Ottawa has credible evidence linking Indian agents to the murder. India denied the allegation right after that but it created a dreadful diplomatic situation between the two countries.
Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s foreign minister, has explained the country’s response to the diplomatic talks during a Council on Foreign Relations event in New York.
“One, we told the Canadians that this is not the government of India’s policy. Two, we told the Canadians, saying, that look, if you have something specific, if you have something relevant, you know, let us know – we are open to looking at it,” Mr. Jaishankar remarked.
Last week, India stopped issuing new visas to Canadians and requested Ottawa decrease its diplomatic presence in the nation, citing a worsening security situation.
“The picture is not complete without the context. You also have to appreciate that in the last few years, Canada actually has seen a lot of organised crime, you know, relating to, you know, the secessionist forces, organised crime, violence, extremism, they are all very, very deeply mixed up,” Mr. Jaishankar stated.
“Our concern is that it’s really been very permissive because of political reasons. We have a situation where actually our diplomats are threatened, our consulates have been attacked and often comments are made interference in our politics,” the minister said.
Canada’s allies, like the US, have gently conveyed worry regarding Canada’s assertions and have called on India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation.
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