Didn’t need to blow up India ties: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testifies on the Overseas Interference Fee in Ottawa on October 16, 2024. Photograph: The Canadian Press through AP

Conversations with India across the G-20 Summit in 2023 in New Delhi concerning the killing of Khalistani activistHardeep Singh Nijjar have been based mostly on intelligence and never proof, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed a federal fee that’s inspecting overseas interference within the nation.

Mr. Trudeau on Wednesday (October 16, 2024) repeated the allegation that India was concerned within the killing. He mentioned the choice to go public on such a delicate problem was taken to guarantee Canadians that the federal government was severe about their safety. “We wished the general public to know that we have been taking motion…” mentioned Mr. Trudeau.

The Canadian Prime Minister mentioned it was a “large mistake if India had executed it”, including that his authorities had “causes to imagine that India did it”. There was no dialogue on proof within the listening to because the continuing moved on to different matters.

Mr. Trudeau mentioned Canada didn’t need to find yourself within the present state of pressure with India. “My place and Canada’s place is to defend the territorial integrity of India. ‘One India’ is our coverage. There are a variety of individuals in Canada who argue in any other case, however that doesn’t make it our coverage. Additionally it is not one thing that’s unlawful in Canada,” he mentioned. He mentioned India’s response when the issues have been taken up with it was “to assault Canada, undermine our authorities and the integrity of our democracy”.

The Canadian PM mentioned the intelligence gathering on Nijjar killing was prompted by requests from South Asian Members of Parliament from his nation.

Upon gathering intelligence about India’s alleged involvement, “our rapid response was to speak with Indian safety businesses… Our try was to make sure that India-Canada relations weren’t blown up. On the G-20 summit… we didn’t need to make it uncomfortable for India,” Mr. Trudeau mentioned, including that he immediately talked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the problem.

Mr. Trudeau mentioned it was not stunning that India refused to waive diplomatic immunity for its officers who face Canadian allegations, suggesting that even Canada would refuse such requests.