Envoy clarifies why India’s responses to US and Canada probes is different
India’s High Commissioner to Canada spoke about the contrasting responses of the government to investigations by the US and Canada.
Ottawa: India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, recently addressed the differing responses of the Indian government to investigations conducted by the United States and Canada. According to Verma, the divergence in cooperation stems from the variation in the information shared by both nations during their respective probes.
Verma highlighted that the United States has provided India with more specific details regarding an alleged thwarted assassination attempt against an India-designated terrorist. The advanced stage of the case and the presentation of legally valid evidence contributed to India’s cooperation in the US investigation.
On the other hand, Canada’s probe into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia’s Surrey did not receive the same level of cooperation from India. In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations regarding India’s involvement in the homicide, which India firmly rejected as absurd and politically motivated.
Verma explained that Indian authorities cannot address the Canadian case without specific and relevant allegations, as conversations may contain crucial facts of the investigation. To proceed with an investigation, permission from legal authorities in India would be required based on specific and relevant allegations.
It is worth noting that while India’s responses differ based on the information provided, India did have discussions with Canadian officials during the visit of Canada’s National Security Adviser to India. However, specific and relevant allegations were needed to initiate a formal investigation.
Ms Kalinga