'Looking to work constructively with Indian govt,' says Canadian PM Trudeau as he responds to question over Nijjar's killing probe

Canada is "looking to work constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom" of the matter of the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.

According to the Canada-based media channel, Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), Trudeau was asked how India's cooperation is shaping up on the "assassination investigation" of Nijjar when Canada has "credible: allegations and India expects Canada to complete its own investigation first.

After taking a long pause, the Canadian Prime Minister responded, saying: "We're looking to work constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom of this, to understand how this could have happened, and to make sure that no Canadians are ever vulnerable again to foreign interference by any international power."

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'Did not declare lightly'

Trudeau reiterated, "The credible allegations that agents of the Indian government were involved in -- that is something that we did not declare lightly, but our responsibility to protect all Canadians from illegal actions by foreign governments is something that, as a country grounded in diversity, we need to take very seriously."

He went on to say that the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is "something that we all should take extremely seriously."

Canada ensuring appropriate prove is being done

According to a video shared by the CPAC, Trudeau said the Canadian government is ensuring appropriate investigation is being done.

"That's why we have been unequivocal about standing up for the rule of law and ensuring that the appropriate investigations are being done in full accordance with our justice system and our police independence," the Canadian PM said.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder

Nijjar, designated as a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2020, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.

His apparent targeted killing led to accusations from Trudeau that the government of India had a hand in the killing.

India rejected the allegations as "absurd and motivated". However, the incident led to the deterioration of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Earlier this month, purported video footage of the killing of Nijjar surfaced, showing he being shot by armed men in what has been described as a "contract killing," Canada-based CBC News reported.

The attack is described as being "highly coordinated" and involved six men and two vehicles.

It's been nine months after the incident, but the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has not been able to name suspects or make arrests in relation to Nijjar’s killing.

As per India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Canada has not been able to present any evidence to back its claims over the killing.

With inputs from agencies