Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has admitted that his government had no solid evidence when it initially accused India of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani extremist. This revelation comes as tensions escalate between Canada and India, raising critical questions about the diplomatic fallout that followed these unsubstantiated claims.
During his testimony before the foreign interference inquiry, Trudeau acknowledged that when his government implicated New Delhi in Nijjar's assassination last year, it was relying on weak intelligence rather than definitive proof. “They [India] asked us how much do you know? Give us the evidence you have on this, and our response was well, it’s within your security agencies. You should be looking into how much they know; you should be engaging,” Trudeau stated.
He further added that the information they possessed was primarily intelligence, not hard evidentiary proof, highlighting the fragile foundation of the initial allegations.
Also Read | How Justin Trudeau’s domestic political agenda could be driving a wedge between India and Canada
This confession coincides with a provocative claim by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated Khalistani terrorist and leader of the banned group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Pannun disclosed that he had been in contact with Trudeau’s office for the past three years, regularly sharing information, thereby complicating the narrative surrounding Canadian-Indian relations.
The diplomatic crisis erupted when Canada labelled India’s High Commissioner and other diplomats as "persons of interest" in the investigation into Nijjar’s death. India swiftly rejected these allegations, calling them “preposterous” and suggesting they were a part of Trudeau’s political manoeuvring.
The repercussions of this diplomatic row have been significant, with India recalling its High Commissioner from Canada. In retaliation, Ottawa expelled six Indian diplomats. New Delhi has also ordered six Canadian diplomats to leave the country before October 20, signalling a deepening divide between the two nations.
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