• Source:JND
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India-Canada Row:  Amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, US diplomat in Canada, David Cohen, has said that it was "shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners" that led the Justin Trudeau administration to make allegations against India. The Canadian government has alleged a potential link between "agents" of the Indian government and the killing of Nijjar. The accusation has triggered an investigation into Nijjar's death, conducted by Canadian authorities and the same has escalated into a diplomatic dispute. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that Ottawa had credible intelligence linking Indian agents to the killing of Nijjar in Vancouver. India, however, dismissed the allegations calling them 'absurd and motivated'.

This latest revelation by a top diplomat has brought significant attention to the 'Five Eyes' intelligence alliance. The intelligence alliance comprises five nations, and they have lent their support to Canada's claims against India, considering the allegations highly serious.

The White House National Security Council focused on the importance of Canada's investigation and the pursuit of justice and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly expressed support for a Canadian inquiry. Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong conveyed concern over the allegations and awaited the results of ongoing investigations.

What is Five Eyes intelligence alliance?

The Five Eyes Alliance is a network for sharing intelligence involving five prominent nations:

- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand

The alliance originated from a post-World War II intelligence-sharing agreement primarily focused on signals intelligence (SIGINT). The name "Five Eyes" refers to the five countries' ability to share intelligence and insights with one another.

Also Read: India-Canada Row: US Envoy Confirms Trudeau Received Intelligence On Nijjar Killing From Five Eyes Allies

Its inception can be traced back to a partnership formed in 1946 between the United States and the United Kingdom, primarily centered on sharing intelligence signals. As time progressed, the alliance expanded to incorporate Canada in 1949, followed by the inclusion of Australia and New Zealand in 1955. While these five countries constitute the core members, the alliance also engages in cooperation with third-party partners who share information but lack formal partner status.

The Five Eyes alliance usually share resources and intelligence among its member nations. Previously, it did so by use of radio signals and transmitters and with the advancement of technology, it shifted to digital tracking and interception. In Canada, four key agencies are involved with the Five Eyes including the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and Canadian Forces Intelligence Command.

All About India-Canada Tensions

Tensions between the two countries escalated after the Canadian PM in the parliament alleged that India had links in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau said any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil represents an unacceptable violation of the country's sovereignty. He also labelled the alleged killing as contrary to the fundamental rules "by which free, open, and democratic societies conduct themselves".

However, Trudeau failed to present any evidence to back his claims. The Canadian Prime Minister was repeatedly quizzed on the nature of the allegations but stuck to reiterating that there were "credible reasons" to believe that India was linked to the death of Nijjar.

India rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case. In reflection of the hardening of its position, it also advised all its nationals living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "criminal violence" in that country. Additionally, they announced temporarily suspending the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens in view of "security threats" faced by its high commissions and consulates in Canada.