Nijjar murder: India rebukes Trudeau over allegations, demands proof

India has firmly communicated to Canada that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cannot make unfounded accusations against the Narendra Modi government concerning the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan Tiger Force terrorist, without presenting evidence, Hindustan Times reported.

The report said that India has also conveyed to Canada that political directives to investigative agencies are unlawful. The message was delivered to senior Canadian security officials and diplomats in a meeting in a third country on Saturday.

This comes amid discrepancies between Trudeau's allegations and the investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which is still underway regarding Nijjar’s killing. Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed in the parking lot of a Sikh temple (Gurdwara) in British Columbia on 18 June 2023

Trudeau confronts Modi

The conversation between Indian and Canadian officials followed an encounter between Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ASEAN summit on October 11, where Trudeau reportedly attempted to engage Modi in a discussion. According to reports, Modi rebuffed Trudeau, indicating it was not the appropriate time or place for such a conversation.

Also Read: Fourth Indian arrested in Canada for suspected role in separatist Nijjar killing

No formal dialogue or even a handshake occurred between the two leaders, with India later issuing a statement clarifying that no substantive exchange took place.

Trudeau’s actions appear to be linked to his upcoming testimony before a public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada’s electoral processes, scheduled for October 16. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has already testified, expressing intentions to hold the Modi government accountable. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc is also set to testify on October 15. While Trudeau made accusations in Parliament on September 18, 2023, implicating India in Nijjar’s murder, his government has yet to provide concrete evidence.

4 Sikh youth arrested

The RCMP continues its investigation but has arrested four Sikh youth in what appears to be a gang-related killing, without direct links to Indian involvement.

Also Read: Canada yet to share specific evidence, information on Nijjar killing case: India

Senior Indian officials have reiterated that India has nothing to conceal and has called on Canada to explain its reasoning for maligning India. They have insisted that improving bilateral relations hinges on Canada taking tangible action against anti-India Khalistani activities on its soil.

Analysts believe that Trudeau’s actions are politically motivated, influenced by his minority government’s dependence on support from pro-Khalistani factions. With his government likely to face challenges in early 2025, he appears determined to intensify efforts to implicate India.