Following the arrest of three Indian nationals in connection with the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized Canada’s commitment to the rule of law and its independent justice system.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police identified the three individuals as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karan Brar, 22. The trio was arrested in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, February 4, 2023.
Prime Minister Trudeau, speaking at a Toronto gala celebrating Sikh heritage and culture on Saturday, February 5, 2023, stated, “This is important because Canada is a rule-of-law country with a strong and independent justice system, as well as a fundamental commitment to protecting all its citizens.” He added that the investigation remains ongoing, and there is a separate and distinct investigation not limited to the three individuals arrested.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in June 2022 outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Prime Minister Trudeau had previously cited credible allegations of Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s killing, which led to a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
During his speech, Prime Minister Trudeau acknowledged that many in Canada’s Sikh community have expressed feelings of insecurity following Nijjar’s killing. He emphasized that “every Canadian has the fundamental right to live safely and free from discrimination and threats of violence in Canada.”
In response to the arrests, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the issue is largely due to Canada’s internal politics and has no connection to India. He accused a section of pro-Khalistan individuals of exploiting Canada’s democracy and creating a vote bank, which has become a factor for some political parties.
Jaishankar further stated that India has urged Canada not to provide visas, legitimacy, or political space to such individuals, as it creates problems for both countries and their bilateral relationship. However, he asserted that the Canadian government has not taken any action in this regard.
Despite India’s request for the extradition of 25 pro-Khalistan individuals, Jaishankar claimed that Canada has not provided any proof or evidence and has not cooperated with Indian police agencies. He suggested that Canada’s political compulsions and upcoming elections may be influencing their stance on these matters.
