Trudeau and Modi Meet Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Strain Over Nijjar Murder Case
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a “brief exchange” with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos this week. The meeting comes a year after Trudeau accused the Indian government of being linked to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Canadian Sikh activist who was killed in British Columbia in June 2023.
This marks the second time the two leaders have encountered each other since diplomatic relations between Canada and India soured in September 2023. During that time, Trudeau addressed Canada’s Parliament, citing “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s assassination, further straining relations between the two nations.
While Trudeau did not provide specific details of his conversation with Modi, he emphasized the importance of addressing key issues. “I emphasized that there is work we need to do,” Trudeau stated during a press conference in Laos. “I won’t go into the details of what we discussed, but I have made it clear many times that the safety of Canadians and upholding the rule of law are the core responsibilities of any Canadian government.”
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed by masked assailants outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia. Four Indian nationals have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in connection to the crime, and the case remains under investigation by Canadian authorities. Despite ongoing calls from the Canadian government for cooperation from India, there has been little progress in facilitating India’s participation in the investigation.
Officials have expressed concern about the potential risks to other Canadians in light of the unresolved case. Trudeau reiterated that his focus remains on ensuring the safety of Canadian citizens and holding those responsible for Nijjar’s murder accountable.
Source : Swifteradio.com
