In the face of growing tensions and "credible allegations" surrounding the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian President Justin Trudeau has underscored Canada's unwavering commitment to fortifying its relationship with India. This move comes as Trudeau acknowledges India's burgeoning influence on the global stage and the necessity for nations, including Canada, to engage with New Delhi in a "constructive and serious" manner.
"India is a growing economic power and an important geopolitical player. As we presented with our Indo-Pacific strategy just last year, we're very serious about building closer ties with India," Trudeau remarked during a press conference. He further emphasized the importance of India collaborating with Canada to uncover the full details surrounding the contentious issue.
The Canadian leader's comments come in the wake of allegations suggesting the involvement of Indian agents in the assassination of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on Canadian soil. Trudeau expressed hope that the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken would address the matter in his meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Trudeau stated, "The Americans have been with us in speaking to the Indian government about how important it is that they be involved in following up on the credible allegations that agents of the Indian government killed a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil." He further added, "This is something that all democratic countries, all countries that respect the rule of law need to take seriously."
A U.S. official confirmed that Blinken broached the issue with his Indian counterpart during their Washington meeting, urging the Indian government to cooperate fully with Canada's ongoing investigation. However, the official statement from the U.S. Department of State did not mention the dispute over Nijjar's death, focusing instead on discussions related to India's G20 presidency, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, defense, space, and clean energy.
As Canada navigates this diplomatic challenge, Trudeau's emphasis on the rule of law and the importance of international cooperation underscores the delicate balance nations must strike when addressing sensitive geopolitical issues.
