NEW DELHI: Saying there has been a shift in India’s stance on the Canadian probe into the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s NSA Jody Thomas stated that India is now collaborating with the investigations. Her discussions with her counterpart Ajit Doval on the issue had been productive, allowing progress to be made.
While emphasizing the importance of bringing the perpetrators to justice, Thomas also highlighted the significance of the relationship between the two countries, mentioning that Canada’s ability to engage in the Indo-Pacific region depends on having a strong association with India.
Nijjar killing: India is actively cooperating with Canada in investigation, says PM Justin Trudeau’s aide
India has maintained that Canada never shared any evidence or information to support its claim that Indian agents were linked to the murder. Nevertheless, India initiated a probe into information shared by the US about the involvement of an Indian official in a plot to assassinate another Khalistan separatist, Gurpatwant Pannun. However, no official investigation has been announced in the Canadian case thus far.
Speaking on the day of her retirement, Thomas stated that the US indictment of an Indian national in the Pannun plot and the released information bolstered Canada’s position on the Nijjar issue.
“I wouldn’t describe them as uncooperative. We have made progress in that relationship and they understand what we believe happened. The RCMP investigation is ongoing and they will hopefully be able to prosecute those responsible and accountable,” said Thomas, who made multiple visits to India last year to discuss the Nijjar case.
In her interview with CTV, Thomas stated that India, particularly the NSA, is collaborating with Canada to resolve the issue. “My discussions with my counterpart in India have been fruitful and I think they have moved things forward,” she said, acknowledging the evolution of Indian cooperation since they had initially dismissed the allegations.
When asked if this evolution was prompted by the US Pannun case, she indicated that the two were indeed connected. “The US judicial system is different from ours. They have sealed indictments, which we don’t. They were investigating a conspiracy and we are investigating a murder. The information they revealed supported our position and our assertions with India,” said Thomas.
Despite this, she stressed the importance of bilateral ties with India and the necessity for the two countries to collaborate in the Indo-Pacific region. “We think it’s important that we resolve what happened to a Canadian citizen, but we have to have people-to-people ties. We have a significant diaspora. We have to have a trade relationship. Our ability to function in the Indo-Pacific region does depend on having a strong relationship with India and we are working towards that,” Thomas added.
