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BIG STORY SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 | The Indian Eye 4

INDIA-CANADA RELATIONS

FACE-TO-FACE

India-Canada ties hit a new low after Justin Trudeau’s allegation

that Indian agents were behind the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
What is the real story behind these allegations?

OUR BUREAU to believe that agents of the Govern-
ment of India were involved in the
New Delhi/Ottawa/New York
killing of a Canadian-on-Canadian
n Monday, Canadian PM soil. That is ...there is something of
Justin Trudeau dropped a utmost foundational importance in a
Obombshell by accusing the country’s rule of law in a world where
Indian government of being behind international rules-based order mat-
the assassination of Sikh separatist ters...we have rigorous and indepen-
leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. dent judges and robust processes.”
The chief of Khalistan Tiger Force Trudeau said, “We call upon the
(KTF) — a Sikh extremist organiza- Government of India to take seri-
tion banned by India and a “desig- ously this matter and to work with
nated terrorist” -- Nijjar was killed in us to shed full transparency and en-
a targeted shooting at British Colum- sure accountability and justice in this
bia in Canada’s Surrey in June this matter.”
year. Canada also expelled an Indian “I think it is important that as a
diplomat who was supposedly work- country with a strong, independent
ing as the station chief of India’s spy justice system ... we allow those jus-
agency, Research & Analysis Wing. tice processes to unfold themselves
with the utmost integrity. but I as-
India, however, rejected the sure this decision to share these alle-
gations on the floor in the House of
allegations, terming them “ab- Commons on Monday morning was
surd” and “motivated”. “We not made lightly and was done with
utmost seriousness,” Canada’s PM
have seen and rejected the said.
Trudeau also highlighted the
statement of the Canadian conversation he had with Prime Min-
Prime Minister in their Parlia- ister Narendra Modi on the issue. “I
ment, as also the statement had a direct and frank conversation,
with the Prime Minister (Modi), in
by their Foreign Minister,” the which I shared my concerns in no

Ministry of External Affairs uncertain terms...”.
Earlier, the Indian External Af-
(MEA) said in a statement. fairs Ministry in its response to the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at the the G20 Leaders’ allegations by Canada had said, “Yes
“Similar allegations were made Summit in New Delhi recently (ANI) these allegations were raised by Ca-
by the Canadian Prime Minister to nadian PM Justin Trudeau with PM
our Prime Minister and were com- diplomat was asked to leave India on Thursday, Justin Trudeau said his (Modi) and PM rejected them.”
pletely rejected. We are a democratic within the next five days. country stands by the international The MEA said that allegations were
polity with a strong commitment to “The concerned diplomat has rules-based order and repeated his raised by Trudeau when he was in
the rule of law,” it added. been asked to leave India within the charge on India’s role in the killing India to attend the G20 Summit and
New Delhi on Tuesday expelled next five days. The decision reflects of Nijjar, stating that there are “cred- that PM Modi had rejected them.
a senior Canadian diplomat in a re- the Government of India’s growing ible reasons” to believe the same. MEA spokesperson Arindam
ciprocal move to Canada expelling a concern at the interference of Cana- Addressing a press conference Bagchi said that Canada has not
senior Indian diplomat in light of the dian diplomats in our internal mat- at Canada’s Permanent Mission to shared any specific information re-
claim of New Delhi’s involvement in ters and their involvement in anti-In- the United Nations in New York on garding the allegations and that In-
the killing of the wanted separatist dia activities,” it added. Thursday Trudeau said, “As I said on dia is asking Canada to take action
leader. The MEA said the Canadian But in another attack on India Monday, there are credible reasons Continued on next page... >>

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