Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly reiterated Ottawa’s stance on the allegation that Indian agents were involved in the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, designated a terrorist by India.
“Canada’s position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents,” Joly told the media on Tuesday.
Joly’s statement follows Canada’s arrest of three Indian nationals, accused of being part of an alleged hit squad responsible for Nijjar’s murder in British Columbia last year.
Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22, all Indian nationals, face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The Canadian foreign minister further stated that the investigation into Nijjar’s killing is being conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted in September last year that Indian government agents were involved in Nijjar’s shooting. However, India rejected these allegations, contending that Canada had not taken sufficient measures to curb the activities of Khalistani groups.