The United States has called on India to address the serious accusations made by Canada regarding an assassination plot involving Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist, as tensions between the two nations intensify.
In a statement on Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging India to cooperate with Canada in its investigation. “The allegations are extremely serious, and they need to be taken seriously. We expect the Indian government to engage with Canada in this matter,” Miller stated. However, he also acknowledged that India had “chosen an alternate path” in its response so far.
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The diplomatic fallout between India and Canada escalated earlier this week when both nations expelled each other’s ambassadors. Canada claims India was involved in Nijjar’s assassination, which took place last year outside a Sikh temple. Nijjar, who had migrated to Canada and gained citizenship, was a vocal advocate for an independent Sikh state.
While the US has previously alleged an unsuccessful assassination plot by India on its own soil, the response from Washington has been more measured. On Tuesday, an Indian “Enquiry Committee” was in Washington to discuss these US claims, which the State Department said India was actively investigating.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby acknowledged India’s steps, saying the visit by the committee “demonstrates that they are taking this seriously.”
For over two decades, the US has worked to strengthen ties with India, viewing the country as a key partner in countering the rise of China. However, this relationship has been complicated by ongoing concerns about democratic backsliding under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
#WATCH | "…We have made clear that the Canadian allegations are extremely serious and they need to be taken seriously and we wanted to see the Government of India cooperate with Canada and its investigation. But, India has chosen an alternate path…" says US Department of… pic.twitter.com/Eqb7JSAUon
— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024
