Canadian Allegations Of India Hand In Nijjar Killing Based On Surveillance Of Diplomats, Intel From 'Ally': Report

The Canadian official said his government relied on communications involving Indian diplomats and officials as well as intelligence shared by a member of the “Five Eyes”.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: Surveillance of Indian diplomats stationed in Canada led to the Justin Trudeau administration claiming New Delhi’s hand in the killing of separatist Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, news agency AP reported quoting a Canadian official. In addition to surveillance of Indian diplomats, the Canadian government also relied on intelligence shared by a “major ally”, the report claimed.

Stirring a hornet’s nest last week, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau claimed that there was “intelligence” to suggest the involvement of “Indian agents” in the killing of Nijjar.

According to the AP report, officials in the Canadian government relied on communications involving Indian diplomats and officials as well as intelligence shared by a member of the “Five Eyes”, an alliance for intelligence sharing comprising the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

However, the Canadian official whom the AP quoted in its report, spoke on condition of anonymity saying they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

READ | India-Canada Diplomatic Row: India Asks Canada To Reduce Diplomatic Staff Amid Tensions Over Nijjar Killing

The revelation comes in the wake of India asking Canada to reduce its diplomatic staff at the Canadian High Commission.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “We have informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in strength in our mutual diplomatic presence. Their number here (in India) are very much higher than ours in Canada. The details of this are being worked out but I assume there will be reduction.”

 India also suspended visa services for Canadians "due to operational reasons".

"All categories of visas are suspended. We will review it regularly. The issue is not about travel to India but the issue is incitement of violence and inaction by the Canadian government. Those who have valid visas and OCI cards can travel freely," the MEA spokesperson said.