May 5th 2024.
During a gala celebrating Sikh heritage and culture in Toronto, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the recent arrests of three Indian nationals charged with the murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He emphasized Canada's commitment to the rule of law and the protection of all its citizens, stating that the investigation is ongoing and other individuals may be involved.
Trudeau acknowledged the unease and fear felt by the Sikh community in Canada following Nijjar's death, emphasizing that every Canadian has the right to feel safe and free from discrimination and violence. This tragic event has also strained the relationship between India and Canada, with Trudeau previously alleging the involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing.
However, India has denied these allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. The presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada has long been a point of contention between the two countries, with Nijjar being designated as a terrorist by India. After the arrests, Canadian police revealed that they had worked with US law enforcement agencies and hinted at the possibility of further arrests.
During a press conference, Canadian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the situation in Canada regarding Nijjar's murder is largely influenced by their internal politics and has no connection to India. He explained that a section of pro-Khalistan individuals in Canada have formed a lobby and become a vote bank, which has led to some political parties relying on their support.
Jaishankar also revealed that India has repeatedly urged Canada not to provide visas, legitimacy, or a political platform for these pro-Khalistan individuals, but their requests have been ignored. He stated that Canada has not shared any evidence with India regarding the alleged involvement of Indian officials and that there is a lack of cooperation between their police agencies.
The minister attributed this to political pressure in Canada, especially with elections approaching. He urged Canada to not engage in vote bank politics and instead focus on strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Despite the tensions, Trudeau reassured the audience that Canada remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the safety of all its citizens.
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