Canadian PM Trudeau Notes India's 'Tonal Shift' Amid US Allegation Of Pannun Plot

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remarked that the relationship between India and Canada has experienced what he described as 'a tonal shift' following the accusation by the US against an Indian government employee for allegedly soliciting someone to hire an assassin to kill separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. During an interview with CBC, Trudeau noted a recognition that "they can't bluster their way through this."

Trudeau has alleged the involvement of unidentified Indian agents in the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India has vehemently denied these allegations and demanded evidence from Ottawa.

"In my opinion, there is a nascent realization that they cannot simply use forceful talk to navigate through this issue, and there is an inclination toward collaboration that might have been less apparent earlier," Trudeau shared in his conversation with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

"There's an understanding that perhaps continually launching attacks against Canada won't resolve this issue," he added.

According to a US indictment, Indian officials purportedly offered $100,000 to an individual named Nikhil Gupta to contract an assassin to eliminate Pannun in New York.

While India dismissed Canada's accusation, it acknowledged taking the indictment seriously.

Trudeau further expressed Canada's reluctance to engage in conflict with India while China consolidates its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

"At present, we do not desire to engage in a dispute with India over this matter. We aspire to pursue that trade agreement. We aim to advance the Indo-Pacific strategy," he stated.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India's commitment to the rule of law. However, he highlighted that a few incidents would not derail the US-India relationship.

"If anyone provides us with information, we will certainly investigate it," Modi stated. "If any of our citizens have done anything, whether good or bad, we are prepared to investigate. Our commitment is to uphold the rule of law."

Expressing deep concern about the activities of certain extremist groups situated abroad, Modi conveyed to the financial daily, "Under the guise of freedom of expression, these elements have engaged in intimidation and incited violence."