Canadian sources have reported that the allegations of the Indian government’s involvement in the murder of a Khalistani leader are based on human and surveillance intelligence gathered by the Canadian government in a months-long investigation.
The two countries have been involved in a diplomatic tussle since Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being linked to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
Overview
According to CBC News, communications involving Indian officials, including Indian diplomats in Canada, were a part of the human and signal intelligence gathered in the case.
“The Canadian govt has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation of a Sikh activist's death…that intelligence includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada…”https://t.co/oOwp6s6i2A
— Derek J. Grossman (@DerekJGrossman) September 22, 2023
According to sources in the Canadian government, the intelligence came not from Canada alone but was provided by an unnamed ally in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
Five Eyes is an intelligence-sharing network created in 1946 with the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as members.
The report suggests that during the investigation, several Canadian officials paid visits to India seeking cooperation in the investigation.
This included a visit by Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor, Jody Thomas, who was in India for four days in mid-August and five days in September.
Canadian sources suggest that on being pressed in private, Indian officials have not denied the bombshell allegation of the Indian government’s involvement in the assassination of a Canadian citizen inside Canada.
While the Canadian government has yet to make public any evidence concerning the matter, it has suggested this could emerge during the legal process.
Canada Seeks India’s Cooperation, US Says No ‘Special Exemption’
Addressing a press conference in New York after attending the UN General Assembly, Trudeau remarked that Canada was seeking India’s cooperation.
He said, “I can assure you that the decision to share these allegations on the floor of the House of Commons…was not done lightly.”
Commenting on the issue, US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan said the US was in touch with Indians at a high-level following Ottawa’s allegations, and there was “no special exemption” for an act like this.
Jake Sullivan on India- Canada pic.twitter.com/hZ5WucZXYz
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) September 21, 2023
Sullivan said, “It is a matter of concern for us. It is something we take seriously.”
He remarked, “I firmly reject the idea that there is a wedge between the US and Canada. We have deep concerns about the allegations and we would like to see this investigation carried forward and the perpetrators held to account.”
Meanwhile, while saying that New Delhi was in talks with its partners about the issue, India has accused Canada of politically condoning terrorism and suspended visas for Canadians.