India has firmly told Canada that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cannot accuse the Modi government of involvement in the murder of Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar without providing evidence. India conveyed this stance to Canadian officials in a third country meeting on October 12. Trudeau had accused India of orchestrating Nijjar’s assassination on June 18, 2023, though Canada’s investigation, led by the RCMP, is ongoing and has yet to produce any concrete proof. The Indian side stressed that political interference in legal investigations is unlawful.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated, with Trudeau reportedly attempting to confront Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ASEAN summit on October 11, which Modi dismissed as inappropriate. Trudeau’s moves are seen as politically motivated, especially as he faces an upcoming public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections.
Indian officials have stated that Canada must address growing Khalistani activities on its soil for relations to improve. They believe Trudeau’s government is using the Nijjar case to appeal to his pro-Khalistan voter base ahead of elections, while Canada’s minority government struggles with internal instability. Trudeau’s administration, pressured by political allies like the New Democratic Party, continues to push the narrative despite a lack of verifiable evidence against India.
