New Delhi: Amidst the diplomatic tussle with Canada over the killing of a Khalistani sympathiser on Canadian soil, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed the House of Commons on Monday that his government had “credible allegations” connecting Indian government agents to the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
The meeting between PM Modi and S Jaishankar occurred in the new Parliament House and aimed to discuss India-Canada relations.
Following Trudeau’s statements, both India and Canada expelled a senior diplomat from each other’s countries. The Indian government has dismissed these allegations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was an Indian terrorist and the leader of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). He was assassinated outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. Nijjar was among India’s most wanted terrorists and had a reward of ₹10 lakh on his head.
Amid escalating tensions between the two nations, Trudeau assured on Tuesday that he is not seeking to “provoke” India but rather wants the Indian government to treat Nijjar’s killing with “utmost seriousness.”
“We have no intention of provoking or escalating the situation. Our aim is to collaborate with the Indian government to clarify matters and establish proper processes,” Trudeau said.
The diplomatic dispute arose shortly after it was discussed between Trudeau and PM Modi during the recently concluded G20 summit in New Delhi.