Overview
Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, responded to the recent arrests made by Canadian authorities in connection to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020.
Response from Indian High Commissioner
Sanjay Kumar Verma stated that the arrests were a result of investigations conducted by Canadian law enforcement agencies and emphasized that the issue is internal to Canada, refraining from offering further comments.
India’s Position
India considers the preliminary investigation findings in the Nijjar case as an internal matter of Canada and has reiterated its request for specific evidence regarding any alleged involvement of the Indian government.
Arrests and Charges
Three Indian nationals, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Karan Brar, have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in relation to Nijjar’s killing outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, BC.
Communication Between Countries
Ottawa has informed Delhi about the arrests, with Verma expressing hope for regular updates from Canadian authorities on the progress of the case involving the arrested Indian nationals.
Denial of Involvement
While no public connection to the Indian government has been established, both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian authorities have denied any involvement. Verma reiterated India’s stance of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.
Investigation Progress
During a press conference, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police mentioned ongoing investigations into potential ties with the Indian government but did not present concrete evidence linking New Delhi to Nijjar’s death.
Background on Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Nijjar was a supporter of Khalistan, advocating for a separate Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab state. The case has led to a diplomatic dispute between Canada and India, with Trudeau accusing Indian government agents of involvement in Nijjar’s murder, a claim refuted by India.
