India-Canada Diplomatic Row: Trudeau Calls For A Joint Probe Into Killing Of Hardeep Singh Nijj

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday again alleged that “agents of Government of India were involved in killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil,” and called upon India to engage with them to reach to the “truth of the matter”.

Speaking in response to a question about row with India during a press interaction in New York, Trudeau said, “”As I said on Monday, there are credible reasons to believe that agents of Government of India were involved in killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil. That is something of utmost and foundational importance in a country of rule of law in a world where international rules-based order matters. We have a rigourous and independent justice system. We call upon the Government of India to engage with us to move forward to getting to the truth of this matter.”

PHOTO | “As I said on Monday, there are credible reasons to believe that agents of Government of India were involved in killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil. That is something of utmost and foundational importance in a country of rule of law in a world where international… pic.twitter.com/HNy0TfmS0J

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 21, 2023

“We are not looking to provoke or cause problems. But we are unequivocal about protecting Canadians. That’s why we call upon the Government of India to work with us, to uncover truth of the matter and allow justice and accountability to be surfaced,” the Canadian Prime Minister further said.

Meanwhile,  MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi early on Thursday said no specific information was shared by Canada on Nijjar’s killing. “We are willing to look at any specific information shared with them but so far nothing has been shared by them. From our side, specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based on the Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon,” he said.

Speaking further Bagchi said Indian diplomats were facing threats in Canada and that the country has become a “safe haven for terrorism.”

“There are security threats to our diplomatic staff there. The larger issue with Canada is that of terrorism and safe havens have been provided there,” the MEA spokesperson said.