US, Canada Soften Their Stance Against India Over Nijjar Killing

India's assertive stance against 'operating space' provided to violent militants as a result of domestic political motivations has now dampened the reproval by the US and Canada over New Delhi's alleged involvement in the killing of Sikh pro-Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Reuters

What EAM Jaishankar said about 'US views'

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while speaking at a think tank event in Washington DC on Friday morning, revealed that the matter was addressed during dialogue with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US NSA Jake Sullivan, wherein " US views and assessments on this whole situation" were received.

Jaishankar also declared that, in response, India's stand on the issue was also presented while adding, "I think hopefully we both came out of those meetings better informed."

Reuters

The minister, who has earlier established that India will probe any specific and relevant information Ottawa provides about the killing, made evident New Delhi's disapproval of US and Canada's non-restrictive approach towards Khalistani extremists that has led to attacks on the Indian consulate in San Francisco and open threats to Indian diplomats. India had already designated Nijjar as a terrorist.

What US lawmakers of Sikh districts think

At a time when Canada, based on Washington's push, moved forward with allegations of New Delhi's involvement in the murder, some US lawmakers with Sikh constituents in their Congressional districts have also joined the bandwagon, seeking a probe into the matter.

"I'm concerned by reports that India's government is targeting Sikh activists abroad & will seek to learn more as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security. I will work with local & federal government officials to ensure necessary actions are undertaken to protect the Sikh community," Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell of California said on Thursday on X (formerly Twitter).

The legislators have overlooked that extremist Khalistanis comprise a small percentage of Sikhs, with the moderate majority under onslaught by radicals.

How Trudeau picked up a mild stance

However, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement on Thursday indicated that Ottawa is trying to cool down the raging conflict. He had said that Canada is dedicated to forming closer relations with India, even if what he proclaimed were "credible allegations" that the Indian government had a part to play in the killing last June.

During the press conference in Montreal, Trudeau had said it is "extremely important" that Canada and its partners continue to engage "constructively and seriously" with India, given its growing stature on the world stage.

"India is a growing economic power and important geopolitical player. And as we presented with our Indo-Pacific strategy, just last year, we're very serious about building closer ties with India," the Canadian media quoted him as saying.

AP

"At the same time, obviously, as a rule of law country, we need to emphasise that India needs to work with Canada to ensure that we get the full facts of this matter," he added.

Canadian PM had further said that he got affirmations from the US that Blinken would be presenting the allegations during his talks with Jaishankar on Thursday.

However, Blinken did not bring up the subject during a fleeting appearance with Jaishankar for a photo session at the US State Department on Thursday afternoon. Also, the topic was not mentioned in the readout that succeeded the meeting.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the two officials "discussed a full range of issues, including key outcomes of India's G20 presidency, and the creation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and its potential to generate transparent, sustainable, and high-standard infrastructure investments".

Blinken and Jaishankar also highlighted the continued significance of association ahead of the approaching 2+2 Conference, particularly in defence, space, and clean energy, the readout added.

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