Indian envoy slams Canada on Hardeep Nijjar killing - ‘Direction came from high level’
Sanjay Kumar Verma, the indian high commissioner to canada, has demanded Ottawa to provide proof for its claim on the death of pro-Khalistan militant Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in the midst of New Delhi's stance on the diplomatic impasse with Canada. Verma reaffirmed in an interview with The Globe and Mail that neither canada nor its allies have shown hard proof linking Nijjar's murder. 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."
The house of Commons was informed by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on september 18 that there were "credible allegations" regarding a possible connection between indian agents and the june 18 death of Nijjar in Surrey, british Columbia. Both nations removed each other's diplomats as soon as possible. india also first stopped providing visas to canada, but a month later it opened them to a limited number of people.
On Friday, Verma implied that Trudeau's public remarks had "damaged" the Canadian Police's investigation into the homicide, even though she denied India's involvement in the case. "Where's the proof, anyway? Where is the investigation's conclusion? To put it one step further, I would argue that the probe has already been compromised. Verma was cited as stating, "Someone at a high level has given the order to claim that india or indian operatives are behind it.
Verma also emphasised that any talks between diplomats are "protected" and cannot be made public or used as evidence in court. "You are discussing evidence and unlawful wiretapping. All international law protects conversations between two ambassadors," he stated. "Tell me how you recorded these exchanges. Prove to me that the voice was not imitated." According to the indian ambassador, all parties must make sure that disagreements are resolved amicably via discussion and communication.
The house of Commons was informed by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on september 18 that there were "credible allegations" regarding a possible connection between indian agents and the june 18 death of Nijjar in Surrey, british Columbia. Both nations removed each other's diplomats as soon as possible. india also first stopped providing visas to canada, but a month later it opened them to a limited number of people.
On Friday, Verma implied that Trudeau's public remarks had "damaged" the Canadian Police's investigation into the homicide, even though she denied India's involvement in the case. "Where's the proof, anyway? Where is the investigation's conclusion? To put it one step further, I would argue that the probe has already been compromised. Verma was cited as stating, "Someone at a high level has given the order to claim that india or indian operatives are behind it.
Verma also emphasised that any talks between diplomats are "protected" and cannot be made public or used as evidence in court. "You are discussing evidence and unlawful wiretapping. All international law protects conversations between two ambassadors," he stated. "Tell me how you recorded these exchanges. Prove to me that the voice was not imitated." According to the indian ambassador, all parties must make sure that disagreements are resolved amicably via discussion and communication.