‘Where is the evidence?’: Indian High Commissioner over Trudeau’s allegations on Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing

“The continuing Canadian police probe into the killing had been damaged by PM Trudeau’s public statements. There is no specific or relevant information provided in this case for us to assist them in the investigation,” Verma said in an interview with The Globe and Mail.

Trudeau had stated in his country’s Parliament in September that Canadian security agencies have been “actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar”.

In the interview, Verma was quoted as saying, “Where is the evidence? Where is the conclusion of the investigation? I would go a step further and say now the investigation has already been tainted. A direction has come from someone at a high level to say India or Indian agents are behind it”.

“You are talking about illegal wiretaps and talking about evidence. Conversations between two diplomats are secure by all international law. Show me how you captured these conversations,” he said.

Meanwhile, he also mentioned that New Delhi has made 26 requests to Ottawa over the past five or six years to extradite people from Canada, but is still waiting for any action on that front.

Verma also expressed concerns over the safety of Indian diplomats, including himself, something External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also flagged earlier while suspending visa services for Canadian citizens to India.

The diplomat has been repeatedly threatened by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group and its leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in the wake of Nijjar’s death. “I feel that is hate speech and an incitement to violence. I am concerned about my safety and security. I am concerned about the safety and security of my consul generals,” said Verma.

On Saturday, while commenting on the diplomatic standoff between India and Canada on Saturday, Jaishankar said both sides have been in touch and hoped a way would be found to resolve the row.

“I feel that there is room for diplomacy here. I know that my counterpart in Canada has also expressed the same position. So, we have been in touch,” Jaishankar said while speaking at an interactive session at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

“My hope certainly would be that we find a way…Sovereignty, sensitivity — these cannot be one-way streets. They may have their concerns. I have never ever with any country said that I am not willing to talk to them about their legitimate concerns,” said the Union minister.

“But it cannot be that the conversation is completely dismissive of my concerns and my sensitivities,” he added.

Canada had also withdrawn 41 diplomats from India after being asked to reduce its diplomatic presence in India to ensure parity. However, Verma said despite the strained relations between the two countries, India would like to expand business ties and return to the negotiating table on a trade deal.