NEW DELHI: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday spoke to UK PM Keir Starmer, as diplomatic tensions between India and Canada mount over Khalistan leader Nijjar’s killing.
“Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, discussed recent developments related to a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the government of India,” a statement released by Canadian PM’s office said.
“The leaders discussed the need to ensure the safety and security of their citizens and the importance of upholding and respecting the rule of law. Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada’s continued interest in cooperation with India to address this serious matter,” the statement further said.
Following Ottawa’s allegations, connecting the Indian envoy to the investigation into the killing of pro-Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India on Monday expelled six Canadian diplomats and announced the withdrawal of its high commissioner and other targeted officials from Canada.
Earlier in the day, India had “strongly” rejected a diplomatic communication from Canada suggesting that the Indian high commissioner and other diplomats were “persons of interest” in an investigation, and termed it as “preposterous imputations” and part of the political agenda of the Justin Trudeau government.
“We have received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are ‘persons of interest’ in a matter related to an investigation in that country. The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau government that is centered around vote bank politics,” the statement said.
Harpreet Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen since 2015 who had immigrated from India in 1997, was known for his support of creating an independent Sikh nation called Khalistan.
In June 2023, Nijjar was killed in the parking lot of a Vancouver Sikh temple. The ties between India and Canada soured after Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament last year that he has “credible allegations” of India’s hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist. India has refuted all the accusations, labeling them as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Nijjar was designated a terrorist by NIA in 2020.