Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on Saturday that Canada is committed to working with India on several critical issues, despite the ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Trudeau’s comments came a day after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy.
Trudeau refrained from divulging specific details but emphasized the importance of collaboration to address key issues in the near future. “I’m not going to get into the details of this important, sensitive issue that we need to follow up on, but this was a commitment to work together, in the coming times, to deal with some very important issues,” he told reporters.
The meeting between Modi and Trudeau occurred against the backdrop of strained relations following Canadian accusations of India’s involvement in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
The two leaders had previously met at the G20 Summit hosted by India in September last year.
Nijjar, a Canadian citizen wanted in India on multiple terror charges, was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023. The accusation against India led to a significant diplomatic rift, with both countries expelling each other’s diplomats.
In May, three Indian nationals were arrested in Canada in connection with Nijjar’s murder. India has dismissed the accusations, citing political motives and criticizing Canada for providing a platform for separatists and extremists.
Trudeau maintained that Canada is “a rule-of-law country” and the investigation into Nijjar’s murder is ongoing and not limited to the three arrested individuals. Conversely, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted that, despite warnings, Canada continues to issue visas to individuals linked to organized crime.
India’s core issue with Canada remains the alleged support and space provided to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements within the country.
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