Hardeep Singh Nijjar Murder: 'Deeply Concerned, India Should Cooperate In The Probe' Says White House

Expressing concern over the unprecedented diplomatic row between India and Canada, the White House said it encourages New Delhi to cooperate in any investigation over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

US national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that the White House is "deeply concerned" about allegations that Indian agents were potentially involved in the murder of Nijjar in Canada.

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What the US said on India-Canada row

Kirby also denied reports that the US rejected or brushed off Canada's allegations.

"There's been some press speculation out there ... that the United States rebuffed Canada in terms of talking about their investigation, and I just want to stress that those reports are just flatly false, untrue," Kirby said.

How a murder became diplomatic tussle

Nijjar, an Indian-born Canadian citizen and the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) ¡ª a Sikh extremist organisation banned by India, was killed in a targeted shooting at British Columbia in Canada's Surrey on June 18.

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The killing snowballed into a diplomatic row after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the Canadian Parliament that "Indian agents" were behind the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar.

Canada also expelled an Indian diplomat from the country over the killing.

How India responded to Canada

India, which termed the allegations absurd and baseless, retaliated by expelling a Canadian diplomat from the country.

India also reminded Canada how the country became a safe haven for anti-India forces and how it failed to crack down on Khalistani separatists who are enjoying a free run in the country, despite repeated requests to rein them in.

AP

What Khalistani groups are doing

Even as the diplomatic row was escalating between India and Canada, Khalistanis were seen publicly threatening Indian nationals in the country.

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada for supporting the country of their origin and "promoting violence" by celebrating Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing.

India issues advisory

India on Wednesday issued an advisory and told its citizens to avoid travelling to parts of Canada.

"Threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda," a foreign ministry statement said, advising citizens to "avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents".

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"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents," as per the statement.

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