Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder: Had no evidence against India when allegation was made, admits Justin Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who in September 2023 ignited the fire that led to the current breakdown of diplomatic relations between his country and India, has now admitted that they had no hard evidentiary proof to link agents of the Indian government to the murder of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau on Wednesday informed the Foreign Interference Commission that Canada had not shared any evidence with India but only sought to work together in the probe.

CREDIT: AP

'Credible allegations based on intelligence'

According to him, when he went public alleging that agents of the Indian government were behind the killing of Nijjar in June 2023, there were credible allegations based on intelligence from Canada and Five Eyes partners.

¡°I was briefed on the fact that there was intelligence from Canada, and possibly from Five Eyes allies, that made it fairly clear, incredibly clear, that India was involved in this... Agents of the government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil,¡± Trudeau said.

CREDIT: AP

'Wanted to work with India'

According to the Canadian PM, India had been insisting on evidence regarding the killing of Nijjar.

"Behind the scenes, we were trying to get India to co-operate with us. Their ask was... 'Give us the evidence you have on us.' Our response was: 'It is within your security agency. You should be looking into how much they know, you should be engaging... 'No, no, but show us the evidence.' At that point, it was primarily intelligence, not hard evidentiary proof. So we said, let's work together," Trudeau said.

CREDIT: AP

Our stand vindicated: MEA

The Canadian PM's admission on Wednesday vindicates the Indian position from the start, stating that Canada had not provided any proof to back up its allegations.

"Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

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