In a recent development on the global diplomatic stage, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, reiterated India’s position regarding the allegations made by Canada concerning the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar emphatically stated that India does not engage in such acts as a matter of policy, addressing the escalating diplomatic row between the two nations.
The rift between India and Canada came to the forefront when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted that his government possessed “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in the June killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil. However, the situation escalated further when a U.S. diplomat claimed that there was “shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners” that prompted Trudeau’s allegations about Indian agents’ involvement in the assassination. Responding to these claims, Jaishankar tactfully sidestepped the issue, asserting, “I’m not part of The Five Eyes, I’m certainly not part of the FBI. So I think you’re asking the wrong person.”
Speaking at the prestigious Council for Foreign Relations in New York, Jaishankar shed light on the broader context, focusing on the issue of organized crime in Canada, particularly its associations with secessionist forces, violence, and extremism. He expressed his concerns about Canada’s apparent tolerance of such activities for political reasons.
India, in a categorical manner, rejected Canada’s “baseless” allegations, highlighting that the Trudeau administration has failed to provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims. Jaishankar assured Canada that India would take appropriate action if specific information regarding Nijjar’s killing is provided, emphasizing India’s willingness to cooperate in the matter.
“We told the Canadians that this is not the government of India’s policy. Secondly, we said if you have something specific and if you have something relevant, let us know. We are open to looking at it…The picture is not complete without the context in a way,” Jaishankar reiterated.
Earlier, during his address at the 78th UN General Assembly, Mr. Jaishankar called upon UN member states to resist “political convenience” in their responses to terrorism and violence. This statement was seen as an implicit criticism of Canada’s handling of the situation. Mr. Jaishankar further emphasized that respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs must be universal principles. He added that the era of a select few nations dictating the global agenda is over, hinting at both China and Canada.
In conclusion, India, under the leadership of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, remains steadfast in its position, refuting the allegations made by Canada and reiterating its commitment to international principles and policies. The diplomatic tension between the two nations continues to be closely watched on the global stage, with the hope that a resolution can be achieved through open dialogue and cooperation.
