• Source:JND
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The India-Canada relationship continues to witness a rift over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Now, the top Canadian have reportedly admitted to leaking details about India's foreign interference to The Washington Post, however, these details were not disclosed to Canadians.

This comes amid the ongoing tensions between India and Canada after Canada PM Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist.

According to the report, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national security and intelligence adviser has confirmed she leaked sensitive information about the Indian government's alleged role in murder, extortion and coercion to The Washington Post that was not shared with the Canadian public.

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Nathalie Drouin, Trudeau's national security and intelligence adviser, informed the Commons public safety committee on Tuesday that she did not need Trudeau's approval for the leak. She emphasised that no classified intelligence was shared with the US publication the day before Ottawa expelled six Indian diplomats on October 13, which was Thanksgiving Day.

Earlier on October 14, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme stated that "India was involved in the killing of three people, but he only identified the slaying of Nijjar."

During his news conference, Commissioner Duheme said "eight people have been charged with murder and 22 with extortion. Four Indian nationals have been charged in the killing of Nijjar outside a Sikh temple."

Drouin stated that the leak of sensitive information was "part of a communications strategy" developed by her and Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison to ensure that a prominent US publication presented Canada’s perspective in the ongoing foreign interference dispute with India.

Drouin also affirmed that "the communications strategy was seen by the Prime Minister's Office."

"We provided non-classified information on the actions we had taken to cooperate with India and explain how the evidence showed links to the government of India conducting illegal activities against Canadians, including threats to their lives," Drouin said.

(With inputs from agency)