From Le Figaro with AFP
Published 1 hour ago, updated 51 minutes ago
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. BLAIR GABLE / Portal
Canada believes there are “credible elements” suggesting India may be responsible for the killing of a Sikh leader in western Canada last June.
Canada expelled an Indian diplomat on Monday, September 18, because it believed New Delhi may be responsible for the killing of a Sikh leader in western Canada last June, Canada’s foreign minister said. “Allegations that a representative of a foreign government may have been involved in the murder of a Canadian citizen here in Canada, on Canadian soil, are not only concerning, but completely unacceptable,” said Mélanie Joly. “That is why today we expelled a senior Indian diplomat from Canada,” she added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a last-minute speech to Parliament after urgently convening the opposition that there are “credible elements that there is a possible link between Indian government agents and the murder of Hardeep Singh.” “Nijjar, Canadian citizen”. “The involvement of a foreign government in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil represents an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,” he continued. Justin Trudeau called on the Indian government “with the utmost determination” to work together to resolve this matter.
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Close relationships
Relations between the two countries have been strained in recent months since the killing of the Sikh leader and subsequent protests in Canada. Ottawa, in particular, recently suspended negotiations on a free trade agreement with India.
New Delhi accuses the Canadian government of turning a blind eye to the activities of radical Sikh nationalists who are pushing for the creation of an independent Sikh state in northern India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his “deep concern about the ongoing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada” when he met Justin Trudeau at the latest G20 meeting in India in early September. Canada is the country with the largest number of Sikhs outside of their home state of Punjab in India.