Canadian report finds ‘no definitive link’ of india’s role in khalistani separatist nijjar killing

Canadian report finds ‘no definitive link’ of india’s role in khalistani separatist nijjar killing

After months of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian commission report has concluded that there is “no definitive link to a foreign state” in the Nijjar killing.

In September 2023, Trudeau claimed Canada had “credible evidence” that Indian agents were involved in Nijjar’s murder in British Columbia. However, the report—titled, Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions—released on Tuesday, suggested that while India may have spread disinformation following Trudeau’s claims, no conclusive foreign link to the killing was established.

“This may have been the case with a disinformation campaign that followed the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding suspected Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar (though again no definitive link to a foreign state could be proven),” said Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue.

The 123-page report also mentioned the expulsion of six Indian diplomats from Canada in October 2024 in response to a “targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India.” India retaliated by expelling six Canadian diplomats and recalling its high commissioner.

Relations between India and Canada soured following Trudeau’s allegations, which New Delhi dismissed as “absurd.” India has consistently criticised Trudeau’s government for tolerating pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. While the Khalistan movement is banned in India, it has support among sections of the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada.

On Tuesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly rejected the report’s “insinuations,” stating that it is Canada that has been “consistently interfering” in India’s internal affairs.