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BIG STORY OCTOBER 25, 2024 | The Indian Eye 4

INDIA-CANADA TIES

TRUDEAU’S

TROUBLES

Falling in popularity and facing a tough election,

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau launches a frontal attack on India on the Nijjar killing issue.

But he gives no evidence. What is behind such reckless allegations?

OUR BUREAU
Ottawa/New Delhi/New York
he continuing diplomatic row
between India and Canada
Tunderwent a fresh escalation
this week when Canada declared In-
dia’s High Commissioner and other
diplomats as “persons of interest” in
the investigation of Khalistani ter-
rorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death.
Following this, India decided to call
back its High Commissioner and five
other diplomats from Canada. India
has repeatedly accused Canada of not
taking action against extremist and
separatist elements in the country for
“vote bank politics”.
The fresh escalation from
Trudeau came an year ahead of the
next elections. Trudeau’s Liberal Par-
ty faces a mounting task amid plum-
meting approval ratings in the coun-
try. Recently, Jagmeet Singh’s New
Democratic Party also pulled out of Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an election campaign rally in Surrey, British Columbia (File photo)
his coalition government.
The ties between India and Cana- other officials about presenting “cred- Sources said, “The central asser- But it was never made clear who and
da soured after Trudeau alleged in the ible evidence” to India regarding the tion from all Canadian officials is that for what.”
Canadian Parliament last year that he killing of Nijjar. Sources said that credible evidence has been presented Sources termed it absurd that the
has “credible allegations” of India’s Canada’s approach, since the begin- to India. This was also repeated by Canadian government after intensive-
hand in the killing of Khalistani ter- ning, has been to make “vague accu- their Cd’A to the press. This is simply ly engaging the High Commission-
rorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. sations” and put the burden of denial not true. From the very beginning, the er over the last year has now chosen
Nijjar, who was designated a on India. Sources further said that Canadian approach has been to make to target him. Citing evidence from
terrorist by India’s National Investi- Trudeau, during the press conference vague accusations and put the burden the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
gation Agency in 2020, was shot and was saying, “the same old things for of denial on India.” (RCMP), Trudeau claimed that Indi-
killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in the same old reasons.” According to Indian sources, no an government officials were involved
June last year. India has denied all the While addressing the press con- specifics regarding the connection of in activities that pose threat to public
allegations, calling them “absurd” and ference on Monday, Trudeau accused certain individuals to India were pro- safety.
“motivated” and has accused Canada agents of the Indian government on vided. Sources said, “At the RCMP Meanwhile, after Canadian
of giving space to extremist and an- Monday of engaging in “clandestine press briefing, assertions were made Prime Minister admitted that his
ti-India elements in their country. information-gathering techniques, co- about connections of certain indi- government had not provided hard
Meanwhile, top sources have ercive behavior targeting Canadians, viduals to India. In no case were any evidentiary proof when it accused In-
rejected claims made by Canadian and involvement in threatening and specifics provided. There was also talk dia of being involved in the killing of
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and violent acts.” about holding people accountable. Continued on next page... >>

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