The Canada-India relationship

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Adrian Wyld / AP 

 

Canada refuses to release evidence – demands Indian cooperation 

 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on India to cooperate with the investigation into the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Reuters reports. He also announces that Canada will not release the evidence it claims to have linking the killing to the Indian government. The investigative work must be allowed to run its course, he believes. 

 

- We are unequivocal about the importance of the rule of law and unequivocal about the importance of protecting Canadians, says Trudeau.  

 

The Canadian government has, according to the CBC, gathered intelligence on the case through both signals intelligence and witness statements. 

 

It was on Monday that Canada accused India of being behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He was shot dead by masked men in the province of British Columbia in June.  

 

His was buried surrounded by Khalistan flags. Darryl Dyck / AP  

 

Murder charges could exacerbate conflict in Canada  

 

A conflict between Indian nationalists and Sikhs in Canada could escalate after Canada singled out India as the culprit of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The New York Times writes. 

 

- Sikhs have been talking about foreign interference, especially from India, for decades. That is the reality for us Sikhs. But it has often been dismissed as conspiracy theories, Sikh lawyer Balpreet Singh Boparai told the New York Times.  

 

Canada is home to the largest number of Sikhs in the world outside of India, and they have often clashed with Indian nationalists in the country, according to the newspaper. Hardeep Singh Nijjar represented a group of Sikhs who want to establish a Sikh state in what is now Punjab in India.  

 

Demonstrations after the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Ethan Cairns/AP  

 

India stops issuing visas in Canada  

 

India stops issuing visas in Canada, several news agencies report. On the visa provider BLS International's website, "operational reasons" are stated as the reason.  

 

In recent days, a diplomatic battle has unfolded between the countries. It began with Canada on Monday accusing the Indian government of involvement in the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.