WASHINGTON: The United States said on Thursday that they are giving India no “special exemption” over the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, adding Washington is in contact with New Dehli at a high level over the matter. This was stated by US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday. Canada said that India’s agents had connections to the killing of a Sikh leader.
Washington Talking to New Delhi About Sikh Leader Killing in Canada, No ‘Special Exemption’: US
Jake Sullivan told the media persons at the White House that they take the matter as very serious and will do it regardless of the country. Jake Sullivan that there is no “special exemption” for India over the assassination of a Sikh leader in Canada. He added that they would stand up and defend their basic principles and would also hold consultation very closely with their allies like Canada over the matter.
Sullivan said he rejected the media reports suggesting there was distance between the US and Canada over killings of the Sikh leader in Canada. He said that they have deep concerns regarding the allegations and we would like to see this probe carried forward and the culprits held to account.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the country’s Parliament on Monday that Canada was probing “credible allegations of a possible link” between India’s agents and the June 18 killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in front of a Sikh temple in British Columbia.
Australia also announced on Wednesday that it had expressed deep concerns to India on the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province.
Earlier, the top Canadian government sources told Reuter, “We have been working with the United States very closely, including on the public revelation. The evidence in the Canadian government’s possession would be shared “in due course”.
Similarly, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly Tuesday said that his government fully supports a Canadian investigation regarding India’s involvement in the assassination of Sikh community leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.
James Cleverly told the media that he held a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and discussed the matter.
