Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ India has expressed dissatisfaction with Canada’s handling of the investigation into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan leader designated as a terrorist by New Delhi. The Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, questioned the lack of concrete evidence provided by Canada to support its allegations of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing. The strained relations between the two countries escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being implicated in the incident. In a recent interview, Verma emphasized the need for evidence and raised concerns about the illegal wiretapping of conversations between diplomats, stressing the protected nature of such discussions under international law.
Despite Trudeau’s claims that Canada shared details of the allegations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India, Verma stated that India has not been presented with specific or relevant information to assist in the investigation. The allegations against India are reportedly based on diplomatic communications intercepted by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and agencies from another member of the Five Eyes alliance. Verma pointed out the illegality of wiretapping diplomatic conversations and questioned the authenticity of the captured conversations, raising the possibility of voice mimicry.
Amid the diplomatic tensions, Verma highlighted concerns for his safety and security, along with that of other officials, due to threats and posters issued by pro-Khalistani elements. He categorized such actions as hate speech and incitement to violence. The Indian envoy urged Canada not to allow its soil to be used by groups seeking to challenge India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. While expressing concerns about the situation, Verma stressed the importance of maintaining business ties between the two countries and called for addressing the core issue of preventing the use of Canadian soil by those advocating for the dismemberment of India.
In conclusion, the diplomatic rift between India and Canada over the handling of the Nijjar case has raised questions about evidence, wiretapping legality, and the broader issue of supporting Khalistan proponents on Canadian soil. The Indian envoy has emphasized the significance of addressing these concerns to foster better bilateral relations and maintain business ties.
