The White House has weighed in on the escalating diplomatic tension between Canada and India, expressing its view that Canada’s allegations regarding India’s involvement in the killing of a pro-Khalistan leader are “serious” and warrant a full investigation. The White House Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, made these remarks during a news conference.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the leader of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. Notably, India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. The claims made by Canada concerning India’s alleged role in Nijjar’s killing were discussed during a meeting between visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Kirby stated, “The issue was discussed. We’ll certainly leave it to those two countries to talk about their bilateral relationship.” He reiterated the seriousness of the allegations, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and urging India’s active participation in this process.
Vedant Patel, the Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, echoed similar sentiments during a separate news conference. He stressed the importance of Canada’s investigation proceeding smoothly and the responsible parties being brought to justice. Patel further emphasized the US government’s prior calls, both public and private, for the Indian government to cooperate fully in the Canadian investigation.
While acknowledging reports about the reduction in diplomatic staffing levels at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, Patel refrained from offering further details. He emphasized the commitment to continuing efforts related to the Indo-Pacific region and the partnership with India in forums like the Quad. The United States places great importance on working closely with its Canadian allies and encourages India to cooperate with Canada in resolving the allegations.
This statement from the White House and the State Department underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a transparent investigation to address the allegations made by Canada against India. The diplomatic discourse surrounding this issue continues to evolve, and the international community is closely watching for developments in this matter.
Sources By Agencies
