The US State Department has emphasized the importance of India taking the matter “very seriously and investigate” regarding recent allegations related to the case of the Indian government’s alleged involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, stated, “I would refer you to the Canadian authorities to speak to the details of the investigation there,” regarding the arrest of three individuals linked to Nijjar’s killing. Miller also mentioned that the US would wait to see the results of India’s committee of inquiry into the matter. The US had previously expressed that India should take the allegations seriously and investigate them.
The diplomatic relations between India and Canada have been strained after Canadian Prime Minister accused Indian government agents of killing Nijjar in June 2023, an accusation India has dismissed as “absurd” and “motivated.” Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June last year, with a video of the incident surfacing in March this year, allegedly showing him being shot by assailants.
In a recent development, Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh reiterated the allegation of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing. However, the Canadian police have not provided any evidence linking India to the incident. Jagmeet’s party supports the Liberal minority government led by Trudeau, and he has called for justice for Nijjar, stating, “any Indian agent or state actor that ordered, planned or carried out this murder must be exposed and met with the full force of Canadian law.”
Earlier, the Canadian PM had alleged an Indian hand in the killing, which India denied, calling the claim ‘absurd and motivated.’ The Canadian Police have also not presented any evidence linking India to the killing. Recently, Canadian police released photographs of the three individuals arrested in connection with Nijjar’s killing, all Indian nationals, named as Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karan Brar, who were arrested in Edmonton City, Alberta.