Tensions escalated between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaumade explosive allegations of potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, on Canadian soil in British Columbia on June 18.India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
India angrily rejected these allegations as “absurd” and “motivated,” leading to the expulsion of a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation for Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case.Canada had been actively seeking deeper trade, defense, and immigration ties with India before the emergence of what Trudeau referred to as “credible intelligence,” as reported by Global News.
In an interview broadcast on The West Block on Sunday, Blair indicated that Canada would continue to pursue these partnerships while the investigation into the allegations persists, emphasizing the importance of the relationship with India.
Blair stated, “We understand that this can be, and has proven to be, a challenging issue with respect to our relationship with India,” he was quoted as saying by Global News.
“But at the same time, we have a responsibility to defend the law, defend our citizens, and at the same time make sure that we conduct a thorough investigation and get to the truth.”
If the allegations are proven true, Blair said “there is a very significant concern that Canada will have with respect to the violation of our sovereignty in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.”
Blair emphasized that the Indo-Pacific strategy remained crucial for Canada and had led to an increased military presence in the region, along with commitments to enhance patrol capabilities.
This strategy allocates $492.9 million over five years to military priorities, out of a total of nearly $2.3 billion over the same period.
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On Thursday, India asked Canada to take strong action against terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its territory and suspended visa services for Canadians. As tensions over Nijjar’s killing reached an all-time high, India also called for Canada to reduce the size of its diplomatic staff in India to achieve parity in terms of strength and rank equivalence in mutual diplomatic presence. Currently, the number of Canadian diplomatic staff in India exceeds that of New Delhi’s presence in Canada.
