India says Canada hasn’t provided evidence on killing of Sikh leader

NEW DELHI

The Indian foreign minister said Canada has not shared any evidence with New Delhi regarding the allegations that “Indian agents” were involved in the killing of a Sikh leader in British Columbia in June that led to a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.

Speaking during an interaction titled “How a billion people see the world,” hosted by the Indian High Commission in London on Wednesday, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said India is not ruling out an investigation into Canada’s allegations but wants it to provide evidence to back its claims.

Tensions between the two countries have been rising since the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in front of a Sikh temple in Canada’s westernmost province of British Columbia.

Nijjar was a vocal supporter of independence for a Khalistani state in the Punjab region.

“We have told them if you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence with us. We are not ruling out an investigation and looking at anything which they may have to offer. They haven’t done so,” Jaishankar said.

The top Indian diplomat said Canadian politics has given space to “violent and extreme political opinions which advocate separatism from India, including through violent means.”

He also said that he was in touch with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on the issue.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said there were “credible allegations” that the Indian government was behind the shooting.

India, which angrily dismissed the allegation as “absurd,” also stopped issuing visas to Canadians due to “security threats.” Canada, in return, suspended counselor facilities in several Indian cities.