Canada has presented a de-escalation proposal to India following accusations that Indian officials were involved in the 2023 killing of pr...
Canada has presented a de-escalation proposal to India following accusations that Indian officials were involved in the 2023 killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. The plan, shared during a meeting in Singapore on October 12, includes four steps aimed at easing tensions between the two nations.
The proposal reportedly suggests India withdraw six diplomats linked to the investigation, address gang-related activity in Canada connected to criminal syndicates, expand an existing investigation into previous attacks on Sikh activists, or, alternatively, conduct a joint inquiry with Canada into Nijjar’s murder. Canada also emphasized the need for enhanced judicial cooperation to tackle interference in each nation’s domestic affairs.
According to The Globe and Mail, Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie Drouin, Deputy Minister of Global Affairs David Morrison, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Deputy Commissioner Mark Flynn shared the proposal with Indian officials to initiate dialogue.
The Globe and Mail report stated that Canadian intelligence agencies, including the RCMP and CSIS, have gathered significant evidence implicating Indian diplomats in the murder. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme confirmed that there is “strong evidence” suggesting involvement of high-level officials in India.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently stated that his initial comments on the allegations were based on intelligence reports. India has strongly refuted the claims, labeling them as “preposterous,” and has yet to see evidence from Canada. In response to the deportation of its diplomats, India has also expelled six Canadian diplomats.
The ongoing tension reflects the complexity of India-Canada relations, as both countries assess the evidence and look to address the sensitive balance of security and diplomacy. With evidence expected to come forth through judicial channels, the case’s developments could reshape the relationship between the two nations.
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