‘No definitive link’ found between Nijjar killing and India, confirms Canadian report
Updated: Jan 30th, 2025
A prolonged diplomatic row between India and Canada ensued after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had accused India of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
After months, it has now been claimed by a Canadian report that disinformation was used by PM Trudeau as a retaliatory tactic, to punish decisions that run contrary to a state’s interests.
“This may have been the case with a disinformation campaign that followed the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding suspected Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar (though again no definitive link to a foreign state could be proven),” read the report ‘Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institution’.
Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue held 39 days of public hearings and 18 days of in-camera hearings, during which it heard evidence from over 100 witnesses, including political party representatives, Members of Parliament, the most senior ranks of the public service, Cabinet Ministers, and the Prime Minister. Many witnesses appeared multiple times.
The Canadian commission also heard from over 60 experts and diaspora members during a series of panels and policy round tables and conducted extensive public consultations for the final report.
“Until recently, Canada was trying to improve its bilateral relationship with India. However, the assassination of Nijjar, coupled with ‘credible allegations’ of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and Nijjar’s death, derailed those efforts. India has repeatedly denied these allegations,” according to the report.
A diplomatic rift between India and Canada arose when the Canadian PM accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Nijjar.
Trudeau claimed that Canada had sufficient evidence to prove the involvement of Indian government agents in Nijjar’s death. India firmly denied the allegations, calling them “absurd.”
In October 2024, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats and consular officials in reaction to a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India.
India responded not only by declaring a Canadian official persona non grata (unwelcome person) but by lifting the diplomatic immunity of a further 41 Canadian diplomats in India, effectively expelling them.
All this has now proved to be a storm in a teacup made by PM Trudeau.
Also read:
