Trudeau Reiterates Canada’s Commitment to Strengthen Ties with India Amid Allegations

Highlighting India’s increasing influence on the global stage, Trudeau emphasized the importance of Canada and its allies maintaining constructive engagement with India. Speaking during a press conference in Montreal, Trudeau stressed the significance of continued engagement with India, considering its growing economic and geopolitical stature worldwide.

“India is a growing economic power and important geopolitical player. And as we presented with our Indo-Pacific strategy, just last year, we’re very serious about building closer ties with India,” Trudeau stated, addressing reporters.

He further underlined Canada’s commitment to the rule of law and stressed that India should collaborate with Canada to ascertain the full details of the matter. Trudeau was quoted as saying, “At the same time, obviously, as a rule of law country, we need to emphasize that India needs to work with Canada to ensure that we get the full facts of this matter.”

Trudeau revealed that he had received assurances from the United States regarding the issue. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in Washington, DC, was expected to address the allegations surrounding India’s role in Nijjar’s murder.

“The Americans have been with us in speaking to the Indian government about how important it is that they be involved in following up on the credible allegations that agents of the Indian government killed a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil,” Trudeau stated. He added that this matter should be taken seriously by all democratic countries that respect the rule of law.

Trudeau previously informed the Canadian House of Commons on September 18 about the active pursuit of “credible allegations of a potential link” between Indian government agents and Nijjar’s killing. He mentioned raising these concerns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit and notifying India’s top intelligence and security officials about Canada’s deep concerns.

India, however, vehemently rejected these allegations, dismissing them as “absurd” and “motivated.” Trudeau has yet to provide public evidence supporting the claim about Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.

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The Prime Minister’s remarks have exacerbated the already strained relations between the two countries. India has suspended its visa services in Canada in response to Trudeau’s allegations. In light of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, India has also issued an advisory urging its citizens and travelers to exercise “utmost caution” when in the country.