No formal communication from Canada: India on Nijjar murder arrests
NEW DELHI, MAY 9 : The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday claimed that they were aware of the arrests of three Indians allegedly linked to the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, but there was no formal communication about it from Canada.
“No specific or relevant evidence or information has been shared by the Canadian authorities to date. You will therefore understand our view that the matter is being pre-judged. Obviously, there are political interests at work,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly briefing.
He also raised concern and alleged that Canada was giving political space to separatists, extremists and those advocating violence. He claimed that Indian diplomats were threatened with impunity in Canada and were obstructed from performing their duties.
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“We have also pointed to the Canadian authorities that figures associated with organised crime with links to India have been allowed entry and residency in Canada. Many of our extradition requests are pending. We are having discussions at the diplomatic level on all these matters,” the MEA spokesperson said.
This is not the first time India has alleged that political space is given to extremists in Canada. Last week, India rejected the fresh comments by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and said the remarks once again illustrated the political space given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence.
“PM Trudeau has made such remarks earlier as well. His remarks illustrate once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.
Three Indian nationals were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in last year’s shooting death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In 2023, the Canadian Prime Minister alleged an Indian hand in the killing. This claim by Canada was denied by the Indian Foreign Ministry, which called it “absurd and motivated”.
-PTI
