Canadian inquiry finds no evidence of India’s role in Nijjar killing, contradicting Trudeau’s allegations

Canadian report vindicates India’s stance on Nijjar’s killing, says no definitive link

A public inquiry in Canada has concluded that there is “no definitive link” between any foreign state and the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, contradicting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s allegations that Indian agents were involved in the assassination. The findings were published in a 123-page report titled “Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions” on Tuesday.

Key findings of the inquiry report

• The report found no concrete evidence linking India to Nijjar’s killing.
• It accused India of running a “disinformation campaign” after Trudeau’s allegations, a claim India strongly rejected.
• The report also alleged Indian interference in Canada’s federal elections, a charge that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed as baseless.

MEA rejects Canada’s allegations

In response to the findings, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong statement rejecting the report’s claims of electoral interference. The statement read:

“It is, in fact, Canada that has consistently interfered in India’s internal affairs. This has created an environment for illegal migration and organized criminal activities. We reject the report’s insinuations against India and expect that the support system enabling illegal migration will not be further countenanced.”

Strained India-Canada ties over Nijjar’s killing

Diplomatic ties between India and Canada deteriorated sharply after Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan separatist, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.

• In September 2023, Trudeau publicly accused Indian agents of being involved in Nijjar’s killing, claiming Canada had sufficient intelligence to support the claim.
• India strongly rejected the allegations, calling them “absurd and motivated.”
• This led to a diplomatic standoff, with both countries expelling diplomats. In October 2024, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, prompting a reciprocal expulsion of six Canadian diplomats by India.
• India also withdrew its high commissioner from Canada, worsening bilateral relations.

Conflicting intelligence reports on Nijjar’s death

According to the Canadian inquiry, security agencies initially assessed Nijjar’s murder as gang-related or linked to criminal activities. However, as more intelligence was gathered, the Canadian government suspected India’s involvement.

The report states:

“The government wanted India to acknowledge its role in the killing but also needed a pragmatic approach to resolve the issue. The Prime Minister testified that the immediate approach was to engage with India while ensuring accountability.”

Despite multiple high-level meetings between Canadian and Indian officials in August and September 2023, India refused to acknowledge any involvement in Nijjar’s death.

Media’s role in Trudeau’s accusations

The inquiry highlights an article published in The Globe and Mail on September 18, 2023, which alleged that Canadian officials had information linking India to Nijjar’s killing. It was only after this media report that Trudeau made his public accusations in parliament.

Canada’s diplomatic retaliation and India’s response

• Canada declared an Indian diplomat persona non grata following the allegations.
• India retaliated by expelling a Canadian diplomat and revoking the diplomatic immunity of 41 other Canadian diplomats, effectively forcing them to leave the country.

India stands firm on Khalistan issue

The Nijjar case has further widened the rift between India and Canada, with India repeatedly emphasizing Canada’s lack of seriousness in dealing with Khalistani separatist activities on its soil.

While the Canadian report fails to prove India’s role, it still attempts to frame India as a state engaging in disinformation and election interference, allegations that New Delhi categorically denies.

As diplomatic tensions continue, India maintains that Canada must take stronger action against Khalistani elements operating within its borders, while Canada faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of national security threats.

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