'Deeply Concerned': Canada Allies US, UK And Australia On Trudeau's Allegations Against India Over Khalistan Terrorist's Death

As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid out allegations against India for the latter’s ‘potential involvement’ in the killing of Khalistani sympathiser Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the United States and Australia have expressed their deep concerns over the development.

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“We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau earlier today," news agency Reuters quoted U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson as saying in a statement.
"We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canada’s investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice," the statement added.

Besides the United States, another Five Eyes alliance partner, Australia, has also reacted to the development stating that their concerns were conveyed to New Delhi at ‘senior levels’. “Australia is deeply concerned by these allegations and notes ongoing investigations into this matter,” The Guardian reported a spokesperson for the Australian foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, as saying.

The spokesperson, however, acknowledged the role of the Indian diaspora in building a vibrant and resilient multicultural society in Australia. “The Indian diaspora are valued and important contributors to our vibrant and resilient multicultural society, where all Australians can peacefully and safely express their views,” the statement further reads.

Britain while taking cognisance of the matter said it was in close touch with its Canadian partners about "serious allegations" from Ottawa that the Indian government was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.

"We are in close touch with our Canadian partners about these serious allegations. It would be inappropriate to comment further during the ongoing investigation by the Canadian authorities," Reuters quotes a government spokesperson as saying.

The pandemonium erupted when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said their agencies were actively perusing ‘credible allegations’ of potential links between agents of the government of India in the killing of a Canadian citizen (referring to the murder of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar). In the backdrop of the bedlam, Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat.

ALSO READ: Indo-Canada Ties Hit Rock Bottom Over Khalistani Terrorist: Justin Trudeau's Allegation Becomes Flashpoint Of Fresh Conflict

India, however, refuted the allegations calling them ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’. Besides, in a tit-for-tat move, the Indian foreign office summoned the Canadian High Commissioner and expelled a senior diplomat in retaliation.

Notably, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Khalistan Tiger Force chief, was killed on June 18 this year after being shot by unidentified assailants in Surrey, Canada. He was also the head of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, chief of Khalistan Tiger Force, was killed in the parking lot of a Gurdwara in Canada. (Image credit: Twitter; @arunpudur)

Nijjar was India’s one of the most-wanted terrorists and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on him.