New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters who is on a visit to India has raised doubts over Canada’s claim of an alleged Indian link in the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The Kiwi Deputy Prime Minister Peters said during an interview with The Indian Express:
“As a trained lawyer, I look okay, so where’s the case? Where’s the evidence? Where’s the finding right here, right now? Well, there isn’t one.”
This is the first instance when a Five-Eyes partner has openly questioned Canada’s “credible allegations” against India regarding the Nijjar case.
Last year, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the government of India of involvement in the fatal shooting of Nijjar.
Trudeau’s unsubstantiated “credible allegations” had a seismic effect on India and Canada’s bilateral relationship.
It is being reported that New Zealand, a member of the Five-Eyes intelligence alliance alongside the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, has reportedly received an intelligence briefing from Canada regarding the Nijjar case.
Trudeau has also personally briefed leaders of some of Canada’s closest allies about the case, including U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Peters expressed clear scepticism about Canada’s claim and evidence. He added that it was the previous Kiwi government that was handling and managing the matter.
Peters was quoted as saying:
“Well, I wasn’t here, it was handled by the previous government. But look, sometimes when you’re hearing Five-Eyes information, you’re hearing it and saying nothing.
It is coming past you. You don’t know the value or the quality of it, but you’re pleased to have it.
You don’t know whether there is going to be substantial material value or nothing. But the very, very critical information that matters… This was mainly handled by the previous government.”
Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement rejecting Trudeau’s allegations, calling them “absurd and motivated.”
“Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated.
Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law,”
MEA statement said.
India’s MEA further added that Trudeau should “take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.”
Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was allegedly shot multiple times by unknown persons outside a Gurudwara in Surrey, B.C. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has yet to name suspects or make arrests in connection with Nijjar’s killing.
Support Our Journalism
Global Indian Diaspora needs fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon. Buy an annual ‘The Australia Today Membership’ to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
