Diplomatic tensions have flared between Canada, India, and the United States following revelations of intelligence sharing related to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Sources indicate that intercepted communications provided by Ottawa led Canada to accuse India of orchestrating the plot, while the US confirmed “shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners” that prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations against India.
US Ambassador David Cohen told Canadian CTV News network, “There was shared intelligence among ‘Five Eyes’ partners that helped lead Canada to (make) the statements that the prime minister made.”
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. The United States has urged India to cooperate with Canada in its investigations.
The New York Times reported that US intelligence agencies offered their Canadian counterparts context that assisted Canada in concluding India’s involvement. Intercepted communications of Indian diplomats in Canada, indicating their role in the plot, were gathered by Canadian officials, according to unnamed allied officials.
“I will say this was a matter of shared intelligence information. There was a lot of communication between Canada and the United States about this, and I think that’s as far as I’m comfortable going,” Cohen told CTV News.
Following Nijjar’s death, American officials informed Canadian counterparts that they had no advance information about the plot, and if they had, they would have immediately alerted Ottawa under the intelligence agencies’ “duty to warn” doctrine.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation but also sought to avoid diplomatic tensions. He stated that the US is “deeply concerned” about Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations and is “closely coordinating” with Ottawa on the issue, emphasizing the need for “accountability” in the case.
Trudeau, on the other hand, revealed that Canada had shared evidence with India weeks ago and called for constructive engagement with New Delhi to establish the facts. However, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi denied receiving specific information from Canada regarding the case.
The disclosure of US intelligence involvement in this diplomatic battle risks complicating Washington’s efforts to strengthen ties with India.
News Summary:
- Intelligence sharing involving the US, Canada, and India has intensified diplomatic tensions over the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- Intercepted communications led Canada to accuse India of orchestrating the plot, with the US confirming “shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners” that prompted Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations against India.
- The US urged India to cooperate with Canada’s investigations while seeking to avoid diplomatic tensions.
- Washington’s involvement in this diplomatic dispute could complicate its efforts to enhance relations with India.
