Canada's Parliament honors Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar with minute of silence

NEW DELHI: Canadian Parliament observed a minute’s silence on Tuesday to commemorate the first death anniversary of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In June 2023, Nijjar, who had been designated as a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey. The incident led to heightened tensions between India and Canada, particularly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing. Nijjar’s name appeared on a list of 40 other “designated terrorists” published by the Indian government.

Canada has arrested four Indian nationals in connection with this case. India has always maintained that there has been no official or diplomatic communication from Canada regarding the assassination of a Sikh separatist or the four arrests made. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) strongly rejected the Canadian allegations as “absurd and motivated”.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trudeau met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy. Following the meeting, the Canadian Prime Minister discussed the shared commitment between the two countries to resolve critical issues in the future.

Earlier this month, Trudeau congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his re-election, saying: “Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his election victory. Canada stands ready to work with its Government to advance relations between the people of our nations, anchored in human rights, diversity and the rule of law.

In response, Prime Minister Modi said: “India looks forward to working with Canada on the basis of mutual understanding and respect for each other’s concerns. »