NEW YORK: British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly Tuesday said that his government fully supports a Canadian investigation regarding India’s involvement in the assassination of Sikh community leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the agents of the Indian government were involved in the killing of Nijjar in June and announced an investigation by Canadian intelligence.
James Cleverly, who is in New York to participate in the United Nations General Assembly, told media that he had met with Justin Trudeau and discussed the issue.
Canadian authorities be allowed to conduct investigation
He said Canadian authorities must be allowed to conduct their investigation adding it would be “unhelpful” to speculate on their outcome.
He said UK has very strong ties with Canada asking India to fully cooperate in the probe.
Canada has the largest population of Sikhs globally outside of India. Nijjar was part of a movement that demands the creation of an independent Sikh state.
It is pertinent to mention that Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced that an Indian diplomat, identified as the head of India’s intelligence service in Canada, would be expelled from the country.
My statement on allegations surrounding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. pic.twitter.com/auIyj194A8
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) September 19, 2023
India on the other hand gave a Canadian diplomat five days to leave India. India’s government says that Canada has been too lenient on individuals advocating for Khalistan.
Trudeau said that Canada’s response would be measured and he would discuss the issue with world leaders.
