(Bloomberg) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated there are “credible allegations” that brokers of the Indian authorities have been concerned within the killing of a outstanding Sikh chief in Canada.
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Hardeep Singh Nijjar was slain in June outdoors a temple in Surrey, British Columbia, elevating tensions between Sikh separatists and the Indian authorities. Nijjar’s dying sparked protests amongst supporters of the separatist motion, who alleged the Indian authorities was behind the killing.
“Canada has declared its deep considerations to the highest intelligence and safety officers of the Indian authorities,” Trudeau stated Monday within the Home of Commons in Ottawa. The prime minister stated he raised his considerations “personally and immediately” with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Group of 20 assembly final week in New Delhi.
“In no unsure phrases, any involvement of a international authorities within the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,” Trudeau stated.
Melanie Joly, Canada’s international minister, stated she has expelled a high Indian diplomat from the nation.
The Indian Excessive Fee in Ottawa — the equal of an embassy — didn’t instantly reply to telephone and e-mail requests for remark.
Trudeau’s speech highlights a souring relationship between the 2 nations. Final week, Canada postponed a commerce mission to India, which had been deliberate for early October, after the prime minister’s contentious assembly with Modi within the Indian capital.
India has characterised a June protest outdoors its Excessive Fee as an “assault” and its anti-terror company is investigating. Modi’s workplace additionally publicly criticized Trudeau for allegedly tolerating “anti-India actions of extremist parts in Canada.”
There have been longstanding allegations from Indian officers that Canada has been too comfy with Sikh separatists who need an impartial Punjab carved out of northwestern India.
–With help from Danielle Bochove.
(Updates with extra particulars all through.)
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