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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (File photo/AP)
The reaction came after Justin Trudeau admitted to a commission of inquiry in Ottawa that he had not provided India with concrete evidence regarding the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijhar on Canadian soil
Testifying before a public inquiry into foreign interference in federal election processes and democratic institutions in Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted Wednesday that when he made the allegation that Indian officials were involved in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijar, all he had was intelligence, not evidence.
“He is clearly saying that some MPs have told him about Indian involvement and he should name them so that we can respond with their credentials as well,” senior Indian government sources told CNN-News18. “The Canadian Parliament is full of Khalistan sympathizers and they took Trudeau for a ride. How can a prime minister on the basis of only intelligence given by some individuals name and accuse a country of murder?
Canada has accused Indian officials of being involved in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijar. India strongly denied the allegation and demanded evidence to support the serious allegations.
“Canada has asked India to cooperate. Their (India) request was for evidence. We have requested the Indian security services to investigate further and cooperate with us. Because at that point we (Canada) had intelligence,” Trudeau told the panel.
Trudeau’s behavior is not that of a responsible prime minister and has damaged relations between the two countries, the sources added.
“He came out publicly and even in international forums before he spoke to us. It is our job to look for evidence before handing over an investigation to our side, but in the last one year no evidence has been given despite being asked for twenty times,” said a source. “India’s NSA asked its counterpart repeatedly, but there was no response. Trudeau is misled and manipulated by Khalistani and ISI elements and is adamant about breaking the bond.”
On Monday, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and announced it was withdrawing its high commissioner from Canada after rejecting Ottawa’s accusations linking the envoy to an investigation into Nijar’s murder.
CNN-News18 has already reported how the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCPM) has not mentioned any “Indian agents” despite having four people in custody in connection with Nijjar’s killing for almost a year.
New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s claims that India was involved in activities, including conducting covert operations, targeting Canadian citizens in his country.
CNN-News18 also reported how a drug and immigration cartel is thriving in Canada with the involvement of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
