Canada still committed to building closer ties with India: Justin Trudeau amid standoff

Speaking at a press conference in Montreal on Thursday, Trudeau said he thinks it is extremely important that Canada and its allies continue to engage constructively and seriously with India given its growing importance on the world stage.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said Canada is committed to building closer ties with India even though there are 'credible allegations' of New Delhi's involvement in Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing.

"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," he told reporters.

"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," National Post quoted Trudeau as saying.

Trudeau stated that he has been given assurances by the US that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss the allegations made publicly about India's involvement in Nijjar's murder during his meeting with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, in Washington on Thursday.

"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," National Post quoted Trudeau as saying.

"This is something that all democratic countries, all countries that respect the rule of law need to take seriously. We are moving forward in a thoughtful, responsible way anchored in the rule of law with all of our partners including in our approach to the Government of India," he added.

Neither Jaishankar nor Blinken spoke to the controversy that has disrupted Canada-India relations in very brief comments to reporters. However, an anonymous US official reported that the matter was discussed during their private conversation. The official revealed that Blinken urged India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation.

"Great to meet my friend US Secretary of State @SecBlinken at State Department today. A wide ranging discussion, following up on PM @narendramodi’s June visit. Also exchanged notes on global developments. Laid the groundwork of our 2 2 meeting very soon," Jaishankar posted on X on Friday.

After the meeting, Miller said in a statement that Blinken and Jaishankar had "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."

Last week, Trudeau said in the Canadian Parliament that his government was probing 'credible allegations' that Indian agents were responsible for Nijjar's killing on June 28 this year.

Responding strongly, India said that Trudeau's unsubstantiated and absurd allegations were only meant to shift focus from Canada's support to Khalistan terrorists.