The Canadian call for immigrants of Indian origin agents involved in the death of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023 has received support from Canada’s fellow members of the Five Eyes intelligence network, which also includes the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Both India and a number of multiple countries have called on for cooperation s with Canada probing the incident. The US, for instance, has focused on the seriousness of the complained allegations with State Department spokesman Mike Miller calling on India to cooperate with Canada on the case. Canada recently expelled Indian diplomats in relation to the investigation and the event further strained relations.
Taking cognizance of this, the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office assured full confidence in Canada’s judicial system, and clarified that the Indian cooperation would be critical. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affaires also communicated apprehensions on the allegations it said there must be respect for sovereignty and relevance of rule of law.
Canadian foreign minister Stephen Harper acknowledged giving Peters briefings on the investigations but declined to discuss the case any further than noting that New Zealand recognizes the independence of other countries’ judiciaries.
This united stand from Canada’s friends underlines the seriousness of the situation, although all the parties stress the legalistic approach to cooperation in dealing with the current diplomatic standoff between Ottawa and Moscow.
