The Ministry of External Affairs issued a sharp rebuttal on Thursday after Canada arrested three Indian men for the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. MEA officials said that Ottawa had failed to provide any relevant information or specific evidence about Indian involvement till date. New Delhi has repeatedly accused the other nation of ‘providing shelter to those who are advocating violence against India’.
“Let me first make it clear that no specific or relevant evidence or information has been shared by the Canadian authorities till date. You will, therefore, understand our view that the matter is being pre-judged,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters.
India-Canada ties have become increasingly strained after the death of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had claimed that there were “credible allegations” of Indian involvement — an assertion that the country has vehemently rejected.
Three Indian men living in Canada as non-permanent residents were arrested last week in connection with the murder. Jaiswal indicated that the trio had so far refrained from seeking any access to the Indian diplomats. They have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Kamalpreet Singh, Karan Brar, and Karanpreet Singh appeared in court via a video link on Tuesday and agreed to a trial in English. They were ordered to appear in British Columbia Provincial Court again on May 21.
“Obviously, there are political interests at work. We have long maintained that separatists, extremists and those advocating violence have been given a political space in Canada. Our diplomats have been threatened with impunity and obstructed in their performance of duties. We have also pointed to the Canadian authorities that figures associated with organised crime with links with India have been allowed entry and residency in Canada…Many of our extradition requests are pending,” Jaiswal added.
(With inputs from agencies)
