India Canada Row: In the context of the ongoing diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, Britain said on Wednesday (16 October 2024) that the Indian government's cooperation with the Canadian legal process is the next right step in serious developments. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said in a statement here that it is in touch with Canadian partners regarding the Canadian investigation into the Indian government and expressed confidence in Ottawa's judicial system.
India called Justin Trudeau's statement absurd
This statement has come when earlier India expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma. Earlier this week, India termed Canada's allegations as absurd and linked them to the political agenda of the Justin Trudeau government, which focuses on vote bank politics.
UK PM spoke to Trudeau
Two days before the FCDO statement, British Prime Minister Keir Stormer had spoken on phone with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Monday. Britain and Canada are part of an alliance called the Five Eyes, which also includes Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
An FCDO spokesperson said, “We are in contact with our Canadian partners regarding the serious developments revealed in the independent investigation in Canada.” The spokesperson said, “The UK has full confidence in the Canadian judicial system. Respect for sovereignty and the rule of law is essential. The Indian government's cooperation is the next right step in Canada's legal process.
Allegation was made regarding the murder of Nijjar
Relations between India and Canada have come under serious strain after Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations in September last year about the possible involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has strongly rejected attempts by Canadian authorities to link Indian agents to criminal gangs in Canada.
“The Government of India vehemently rejects these absurd allegations and calls them part of the Trudeau government's political agenda, which is focused on vote bank politics,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023 and the Government of Canada has not shared even a shred of evidence with the Government of India since then, despite multiple requests from us.
'Conspiracy to defame India'
The statement said, “There is no doubt that this is a deliberately designed strategy to defame India for political gain under the pretext of investigation.” The British government issued a statement after the phone conversation between Stormer and Trudeau. “They discussed recent developments regarding the investigation into the allegations in Canada,” it said. Both agreed on the importance of rule of law. They agreed to remain in close contact until the investigation reaches its conclusion.
