India-Canada Tensions: Since the diplomatic tussle between India and the Western nation hit the low with the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing Indian government agents of killing a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June in British Columbia, the US has repeatedly asked India to cooperate in the investigation.

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In the fresh development, US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said that India can speak for itself regarding the Canadian allegations related to the Khalistani terrorist's killing and the ongoing investigations. Adding that he also mentioned that Washington has urged New Delhi to collaborate with the Canadian investigation.

A sign outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple is seen after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada on September 18, 2023. (Image credits: Reuters)

When asked whether the issue of Canadian allegations will be raised during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's meeting with his US counterpart Antony Blinken, Miller said he won't talk about it in public.

"One of the practices I'm going to continue to try to adhere to is to not speak publicly about what, Secretary Blinken or other representatives of this department will say in their meetings before the Secretary has a chance to say it directly to those counterparts," Miller said as quoted by news agency ANI.

"We have consistently engaged with the Indian Government on this question and have urged them to cooperate. And that engagement and the urge for them to cooperate will continue" he added.

Miller declined to comment on what is stated in secret diplomatic discussions when asked about India's response to the US request for cooperation in the inquiry. "They can speak for themselves. I'm not going to speak to what they say in private diplomatic conversations. I will speak to what I say or what we say and that is we urge them to cooperate with the Canadian investigation," he added.

The relationship between India and Canada took a salty turn after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently made an explosive statement alleging the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. However, India has outrightly rejected the claims, calling it 'absurd' and 'motivated'.

(With Inputs From Agencies)