S Jaishankar On Arrests In Nijjar Case: 'Canada Blaming India Without Proof'

Indian Foreign minister S Jaishankar on Saturday addressed the three arrests made in the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case. During a press conference in Bhubaneswar, the 69-year-old said Canada is blaming India without any evidence, adding that what is happeing in the poll-bound country over the killing of the Khalistan separatist is mostly due to their internal politics and nothing to do with New Delhi.

Jaishankar's remarks came after Canadian police said they were looking at possible Indian links following the arrests of three Indian nationals for Nijjar's killing in June last year.

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Ottawa has “allowed organised crime, specifically from Punjab, to operate from there”, Jaishankar said. “I just saw before coming in that three people have been arrested. They apparently are Indians with some kind of a gang background. We will wait for the police to tell us more. But normally, if you don’t have a political agenda, if I say I suspect you, I will produce the proof."

"We have never been given anything by Canada which involves the govt of India. In fact, we have repeatedly told you (the Canadian govt), if you have something, please give it to us,” the foreign minister added.

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A Canadian government report, 'Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions', said Indian officials and proxies are influencing Canadian communities and politicians. It further added that 'India directed foreign interference activities' during the 2019 and 2021 Canadian general elections.

“Canada did not give any proof. They do not share any evidence with us in certain cases, police agencies also do not cooperate with us. It is their political compulsion in Canada to blame India. As election is coming in Canada, they indulge in vote bank politics,” S Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar further said that Canada is playing a 'political game'. “There are 25 examples I have with me, who are either known pro-Khalistani individuals or part of gangs involved in crimes. We have given them extradition requests, they did nothing. There is a gang war going on there. They shift blame to India every time. But investigative agencies there never give any proof. What I feel is that it’s a political game."