Did not need to blow up ties with India: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testifies earlier than the International Interference Fee in Ottawa on October 16, 2024. Picture: The Canadian Press by way of AP

Talks with India surrounding the 2023 G-20 Summit in New Delhi over the homicide of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have been based mostly on intelligence and never proof, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed a federal fee that’s analyzing overseas interference within the nation.

On Wednesday (Oct. 16, 2024), Trudeau repeated the accusation that India was concerned within the assassination. He mentioned the choice to make such a delicate challenge public was made to guarantee Canadians that the federal government takes their security severely. “We needed the general public to know that we have been taking motion…” Mr. Trudeau mentioned.

The Canadian prime minister mentioned it might be a “huge mistake if India had achieved it” and added that his authorities had “cause to imagine that India had achieved it.” There was no dialogue of the proof on the listening to because the proceedings moved on to different points.

Trudeau mentioned Canada didn’t need to find yourself within the present state of rigidity with India. “My place and that of Canada is to defend the territorial integrity of India. “One India” is our coverage. There are a number of folks in Canada who argue in any other case, however that doesn’t make it our coverage. It isn’t unlawful in Canada both,” he mentioned. He mentioned India’s response when considerations have been addressed was to “assault Canada, undermine our authorities and the integrity of our democracy.”

The Canadian prime minister mentioned intelligence gathering on Nijjar’s homicide was prompted by requests from his nation’s South Asian members of Parliament.

Gathering intelligence on India’s alleged involvement, “our fast response was to succeed in out to the Indian safety businesses… Our try was to make sure that India-Canada relations didn’t explode. On the G-20 summit… we did not need to make India really feel uncomfortable,” Trudeau mentioned, including that he spoke on to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the problem.

Trudeau mentioned it was not stunning that India refused to waive diplomatic immunity for its officers going through Canadian accusations, suggesting that even Canada would reject such requests.