New Zealand Deputy PM Questions Evidence Of India Link In Nijjar Killing

Doubts have been raised by New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters regarding Canada's claim of an alleged "potential" Indian link in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

A mural in Surrey features the image of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Zealand, a member of the Five-Eyes intelligence alliance alongside the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, has reportedly received intelligence from Canada regarding the Nijjar case.

Photo Credit: PTI

New Zealand questions on Nijjar Killing Evidence

However, scepticism about the evidence provided by Canada was expressed by Peters during an interview with The Indian Express. When asked about whether New Zealand had conveyed its position to India, Peters, who is on an official visit to India, said he was not involved in the handling of the matter, which was primarily managed by the previous government.

"Well, I wasn't here, it was handled by the previous government. But look, sometimes when you're hearing Five-Eyes information, you're hearing it and saying nothing. It is coming past you. You don't know the value or the quality of it, but you're pleased to have it. You don't know whether there is going to be substantial material value or nothing. But the very, very critical information that matters... This was mainly handled by the previous government," Peters was quoted as saying, as reported by Hindustan Times.

This marks the first instance of a Five-Eyes partner openly questioning Canada's claims regarding the Nijjar case. Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the evening of June 18, 2023.

His death sparked a massive diplomatic row between India and Canada. In September last year, unsubstantiated allegations against the Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing on Canadian soil were made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which India rejected as "absurd and motivated," as reported by Hindustan Times.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, evidence to back its claims over the killing has not been presented by Canada. Suspects have yet to be named or arrests made in connection with Nijjar's killing by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).