World

‘If Allegations Are Substantiated…’: Canadian Defence Minister Addresses Tensions With India

In recent developments, the strained India-Canada relationship has been further exacerbated by Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair’s statement. He emphasized the importance of the relationship with India but insisted on a thorough investigation into allegations surrounding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously ignited a diplomatic row by suggesting that “Indian government agents” may be involved in Nijjar’s shooting.

Defence Minister Blair expressed the responsibility to uncover the truth behind these allegations and warned of significant concerns if they were proven true, particularly regarding Canada’s sovereignty. The United States, part of the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance, played a role in Trudeau’s decision to make these accusations public.

However, India firmly rejected these allegations as “absurd” and criticized Canada for not providing specific information. India’s Ministry of External Affairs advised its nationals in Canada to exercise caution due to concerns about “politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence.”

Justin Trudeau asserted that Canada had shared the allegations with India weeks before going public, expressing a desire to work constructively with India to resolve the matter. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also expressed concern about the allegations and a desire for accountability.

India, on its part, accused Canada of not acting on specific evidence regarding criminal activities by individuals based in Canada. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) reportedly prepared a list of 19 fugitive Khalistani terrorists residing in various countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Dubai, Pakistan, and others, with potential property confiscation.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the 45-year-old chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force and one of India’s most wanted terrorists, was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in British Columbia, Canada, in June.

These events have added complexity to the India-Canada relationship and raised questions about cooperation, accountability, and sovereignty between the two nations.

Priyanka Rai

Recent Posts

PM Modi Unveils Rs 46,300 Crore Projects, Highlights River Interlinking In Rajasthan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday participated in the ‘Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh’ programme, celebrating the…

6 mins ago

‘One Nation, One Election’ Bills: What Happend In LS, What The Rules Say

The controversial “One Nation, One Election” Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday…

19 mins ago

Techfest 2024: Jeet Adani Shares Insights On Technology And Science At Asia’s Largest Science-Technology Festival

Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airport Holdings Limited, delivered the inaugural address and highlighted the…

55 mins ago

Mutual Fund AUM Rises 29% In 2024, Equity Funds Lead Growth

The assets under management (AUM) of open-ended mutual funds jumped nearly 29% in 2024, rising…

1 hour ago

Online Gaming Sector to Drive India’s $1 Trillion Digital Economy Goal

India's digital transformation has rapidly positioned the country as one of the largest and fastest-growing…

2 hours ago

Swami Avdheshanand Giri Hails Yogi Adityanath’s Leadership And Praises Maha Kumbh 2025 Preparations

Swami Avdheshanand Giri calls Yogi Adityanath the 'Sun of Sanatan', praises his role as a…

2 hours ago