Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
NEW YORK, 26th Sept. Defence Minister of Canada Bill Blair on Monday called Ottawa’s relationship with New Delhi “important in an effort to control the damage done by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of extra judicial killing of Nijjar a Khalistani terrorist against India last week.”
Trudeau alleged that agents of Indian government were behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar but failed to provide any evidence to back his claims.
India rejected Trudeau’s claims termed it “absurd” and demanding evidence.
The allegations resulted in a massive diplomatic row and triggered serious response from India as the government suspended visa services for Canadian citizens.
India expelled a Canadian diplomat in a tit for tat action after Ottawa asked RAW’s Canada station chief to leave the country.
New Delhi accused Canada of providing safe haven to Khalistani extremists who openly incite violence against Indian diplomats and national in Canada.
Canadian defence minister admitted that the Nijjar allegations have proven to be a “challenging issue” with regards to Ottawa’s bilateral relationship with New Delhi.
“But at the same time, we have a responsibility to defend the law, defend our citizens, and at the same time make sure that we conduct a thorough investigation and get to the truth,” Blair was quoted as saying by Global News.
He said that if the allegations are proven true, “there is a very significant concern that Canada will have with respect to the violation of our sovereignty in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.”
