'No Evidence Or Information Given To Us': MEA On Arrest Of 3 Indian Nationals In Nijjar’s Killing

MEA said that it has not received any official communication from Canadian authorities regarding the arrest of three Indian nationals in Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing. 

MEA responds to a question on the arrest of three Indian nationals by Canadian authorities in Nijjar’s killing (MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal) ( Image Source :X/@ANI )

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Thursday that it has not received any official communication from Canadian authorities regarding the arrest of three Indian nationals suspected to be involved in an alleged hit squad assigned by the Indian government to assassinate Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 

In response to a query about the arrest of the three persons, the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “No specific or relevant evidence or information has been shared by the Canadian authorities to date.”

“You will therefore understand our view that the matter is being pre-judged. Obviously, there are political interests at work,” he added. 

Canada Providing Political Space To Proponents Of Violence: MEA

Talking tough on Canada, the MEA spokesperson further raised apprehensions about Canada providing political space to separatists, extremists, and proponents of violence. 

Jaiswal pointed out that that person associated with organised crime and having links to India have been granted entry and residency in Canada. 

“We have also pointed to the Canadian authorities that figures associated with organised crime with links to India have been allowed entry and residency in Canada. Many of our extradition requests are pending. We are having discussions at the diplomatic level on all these matters,” Jaiswal said. 

READ | India Summons Canadian Diplomat Over Pro-Khalistan Slogans Raised In Presence Of Trudeau At Toronto Event

3 Indians Arrested In Hardeep Singh Nijjar Killing 

Canadian authorities have reportedly detained three Indian nationals suspected to be part of the alleged hit squad responsible for Najjar's assassination in Surrey last year. Earlier last week, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner David Teboul announced the arrest of three individuals in connection with Nijjar’s murder. 

Reports suggest that the suspects entered Canada on student visas but may have been operating under directives from Indian intelligence agencies during the assassination.

Nijar, a Canadian citizen, was shot dead outside his gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. 

This development follows strained relations between India and Canada, fuelled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations last September, implying Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing. 

India had promptly refuted Trudeau’s claims, dismissing them as “baseless”. 

READ | 3 Indian Nationals Arrested In Killing Of Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Canadian Police