OTTAWA, Canada: Canada has sought more cooperation from India in an investigation of the murder of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia in light of fresh allegations made by the United States.
Canada sought more cooperation from India in this regard after the United States alleged it had foiled an assassination attempt against leader of ‘Sikhs for Justice’ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. ‘Sikhs for Justice’ is a New York-based group that is pushing for an independent Sikh state within Indian Punjab.
“The news coming out of the United States further underscores what we’ve been talking about from the very beginning, which is that India needs to take this seriously,” a news agency quoted Canadian PM Justin Trudeau as saying.
Earlier Wednesday, the US Justice Department said it was charging 52-year-old Nikhil Gupta, who had worked with an Indian government employee, for plotting to kill Pannun by hiring a hit man. The charges from the US came approximately two months after Canada acknowledged “credible” accusations linking Indian operatives to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a Vancouver suburb in June. India has, however, denied the allegations.
PM Trudeau underlined the necessity for collaboration, stating, “The Indian government needs to work with us to ensure that we’re getting to the bottom of this.”
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly Wednesday urged India to be more transparent in the ongoing murder probe, emphasising the expectation of increased cooperation.
