Washington, D.C., September 26: The United States has expressed profound concern regarding the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concerning the alleged involvement of Indian agency officials in the murder case of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist based in Canada.
In response to a question during a routine press briefing on Monday, Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US State Department, stated, "We are maintaining close communication with our Canadian counterparts, as Secretary Antony Blinken emphasized on Friday, September 22. We believe it is crucial for Canada's investigative process to move forward and for the perpetrators to be held accountable."
Miller emphasized that the US government had publicly and privately urged the Indian government to collaborate with the Canadian investigation.
These comments by the spokesperson followed Secretary of State Blinken's recent call for India to cooperate with Canada in ensuring "accountability" for Nijjar's assassination on June 18 outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 22, Blinken underscored the US's active involvement, stating, "We have maintained close and extensive consultations with our Canadian counterparts – not just discussions, but active coordination – regarding this matter."
He clarified that the US was not merely a passive observer in this situation, stating, "We have been engaged in thorough consultations with our Canadian counterparts, actively coordinating with them on this issue."
Blinken emphasized the importance of the Canadian investigation and urged India to collaborate with Canada in the investigative process. "From our standpoint, it is imperative for the Canadian investigation to progress, and it is significant for India to cooperate with Canada in this investigation. We are seeking accountability, and it is crucial for the investigation to follow its course and yield the desired outcome," he added.
Trudeau's allegations have triggered a diplomatic disagreement between India and Canada, with New Delhi dismissing Ottawa's assertions as "absurd and motivated." This was followed by reciprocal expulsions of senior diplomats and the issuance of travel advisories.
