US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for India’s cooperation in an ongoing investigation following explosive allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau claimed that India played a role in the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist-terrorist, near Vancouver. The situation has escalated diplomatic tensions between the two nations, leading to the expulsion of diplomats and a reduction in diplomatic staff.
Blinken’s comments came as he expressed deep concern over the allegations raised by Trudeau during a press conference. He stated, “We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very seriously, and it’s important for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so.”
Trudeau’s accusations have been met with skepticism by some, including Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Rubin criticized both Blinken’s statement and the Canadian government’s failure to provide credible evidence to support their claims. He asserted, “Let’s not fool ourselves, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was not simply a plumber any more than Osama Bin Laden was a construction engineer. He had blood on his hands through multiple attacks.”
Rubin continued, “Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has made a huge mistake. He has made allegations in a manner which he has not been able to back. There are two possibilities here, either he was shooting from the hip and he does not have the evidence to support the accusations he made against the Indian government.”
The controversy began when Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat in response to Nijjar’s murder, and India retaliated by expelling a Canadian diplomat, reducing diplomatic staff, and suspending visa services.
The situation has raised questions about the credibility of the allegations and the potential consequences for diplomatic relations between Canada and India. As the investigation continues, both countries are under international scrutiny for their handling of the situation.
Summary:
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls for India’s cooperation in an ongoing investigation following allegations made by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the murder of Khalistani separatist-terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- Blinken expresses deep concern over alleged transnational repression and emphasizes the importance of a thorough Canadian investigation.
- Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin criticizes Trudeau’s allegations, urging him to provide credible evidence and stating that Nijjar had “blood on his hands.”
- The diplomatic dispute has led to the expulsion of diplomats and a reduction in diplomatic staff, raising questions about the credibility of the allegations and the future of Canada-India relations.