Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Seeks India's Cooperation In Wake of US Claims Of Foiled Assassination Plot

Canada urges India's cooperation in probing the death of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar following revelations by the US of thwarting an assassination plot targeting another Khalistani separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. As quoted by the news agency Reuters, Canadian Prime Minister Justine Trudeau said, "The news coming out of the United States further underscores what we've been talking about from the very beginning, which is that India needs to take this seriously."

This comes after the United States charged an Indian national with a conspiracy to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, founder of Sikhs for Justice, designated as a terrorist by the Indian government and a US citizen. The US attorney's office on Wednesday said Nikhil Gupta was arrested by Czech authorities in June and is awaiting extradition.

Trudeau said, "It's crucial that the Indian government cooperates with us to delve deeper into this issue."

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly had also urged India to be more forthcoming in the investigation, earlier on Wednesday. "Clearly we expect more cooperation on their part and more engagement on their part," said Joly.

Earlier, Canada had accused India of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a Vancouver suburb, an accusation India promptly refuted.

Recent events saw the US Justice Department charging Nikhil Gupta, a 52-year-old Indian-origin individual, for allegedly orchestrating Pannun's assassination by hiring a contract killer. Federal prosecutor Damian Williams highlighted, "The defendant conspired from India to assassinate a US citizen advocating for a sovereign Sikh state, right here in New York City."

Responding to Canada and the US, India formed a high-level inquiry committee to assist in the investigation. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Bagchi addressed the issue, stating, "We have engaged with the US on bilateral security cooperation, sharing inputs on the connections between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others."