India-Canada Row: India rejected the accusation as “absurd”.
New Delhi:
- The statement comes days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sparked a huge diplomatic row between the two countries over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- “We understand that this can be, and has proven to be, a challenging issue regarding our relationship with India. But at the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that we conduct a thorough investigation and get to the truth. Defense Secretary Bill Blair was quoted by Global News.
- A top US diplomat yesterday said there was “shared intelligence” among the ‘Five Eyes’ partners behind Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s major indictment against India.
- His comments came a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was “deeply considering” the allegations and wanted to see accountability in the matter.
- Last week, Justin Trudeau made the explosive accusation that “Indian government agents” could be behind the shooting of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- India dismissed the accusation as “absurd”. Canada has not shared specific information about its allegations, India said, flagging “politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence” in that country.
- Justin Trudeau also claimed that such “credible allegations” were shared with India weeks ago. “Canada has shared with India the credible allegations I spoke about on Monday. We did that weeks ago. We are there to work constructively with India. We hope they will talk to us so that we can get to the bottom of this. A serious matter,” Trudeau said at a press conference on Saturday.
- India has advised its nationals in Canada and those considering traveling there to exercise “extreme caution” in view of growing anti-India activities and “politically condoned” hate crimes.
- Nijjar, 45, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia, Canada, in June. He was head of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force and one of India’s most wanted terrorists.
- In a major crackdown, the National Investigation Agency has prepared a list of 19 fugitive Khalistani terrorists living in Britain, US, Canada, Dubai, Pakistan and other countries whose properties are also likely to be seized, sources said .
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