India’s High Commissioner to Canada has urged Canada to provide evidence on the June murder of radical Sikh Hardeep Singh Nijjar, citing public remarks made by a high-ranking Canadian official as tainting the investigation.
In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Sanjay Kumar Verma said that neither Canada nor its allies have provided hard proof to support Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims that Nijjar’s murder outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia province was the result of Indian espionage.
Verma said the Canadian daily, “There isn’t any specific or pertinent information provided in this case for us to assist them in the investigation.”
A diplomatic feud between Canada and India has resulted from Trudeau’s accusations; New Delhi has rejected Ottawa’s assertions, calling them “absurd and motivated.” This has been followed by titbit-for-tit expulsions of top ambassadors and travel warnings.
“Where is the proof located? Where is the investigation’s conclusion? Verma told the publication, “I would even go so far as to suggest that the probe has already been compromised.
Without identifying the “high-level official,” Verma said, “A direction has come from someone at a high level to say India or Indian agents are behind it.”
During a month-long investigation into Nijjar’s death, Canadian government sources informed media outlets that Ottawa had gathered intelligence concerning conversations between Indian officials, diplomats, and material “provided by an unnamed ally in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.”
You are discussing proof as well as unlawful wiretaps. All international law protects conversations between two ambassadors, according to Verma.
“Tell me how you recorded these exchanges. Prove to me that someone did not imitate the voice, Verma said, adding that any talks between diplomats are “protected” and cannot be made public or used as evidence in court.
Verma further said that India has submitted 26 requests to Canada over the last five to six years to extradite individuals from the nation to India; as of now, those requests have not been answered.
The radical Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organization and its leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, have been threatening Verma often in Canada since they believe he is to blame for Nijjar’s demise.
Concerns over his safety and security as well as those of other Indian diplomats stationed in Canada were expressed by the ambassador.
