New Delhi: The “Five Eyes” (FVEY) intelligence-sharing alliance, comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has backed Canada to varying degrees on its diplomatic spat with India over the Ottawa’s accusations that New Delhi orchestrated the murder of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
On Monday, the issue escalated after Canada named India’s high commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, as a “person of interest” in the investigation into the murder. India reacted strongly and termed the accusations as “preposterous imputations”. Then, citing concerns for Verma and other diplomats’ safety in an atmosphere of “extremism and violence”, New Delhi announced the withdrawal of its high commissioner and some other envoys from Ottawa.
Later in the day, India and Canada expelled six diplomats from each other’s countries in a tit-for-tat move, as reported by India Sentinels.
New Zealand reaction
New Zealand was the first Five Eyes ally to have reacted on this matter. In a post on X, the country’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Winston Peters, said while India’s hand in the Nijjar murder is “alleged”, it could be “very concerning” if proven right.
He said: “New Zealand has been briefed by Canada about its recent announcements on ongoing criminal investigations into violence and threats of violence against members of its South Asian community. The alleged criminal conduct outlined publicly by Canadian law enforcement authorities, if proven, would be very concerning.”
Then he emphasized that while Wellington doesn’t want to comment on an ongoing probe, the “rule of law” and “judicial processes” must be respected.
He said: “At the same time, we do not comment on the details of ongoing criminal investigations, in New Zealand or abroad, other than to note that it is important that the rule of law and judicial processes be respected and followed. New Zealand has a diverse population, with large communities with cultural connections to a broad range of countries from across Asia, the Pacific and Europe. We expect all such communities to act, and be treated, lawfully and with respect.”
US reaction
Following this development, the US, siding with Canada, said India must cooperate with Canada’s investigation into “extremely serious” allegations. During a news briefing in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, the US state department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said his country has made it clear that Canada’s allegations must be taken “seriously”.
Replying to a reporter’s question on the issue, Miller said, “When it comes to the Canadian matter, we have made clear the allegations are extremely serious. We wanted to see the Government of India cooperate with Canada. Obviously, they have not chosen that path,” implying that the US agrees with Canada’s accusation that India refused to cooperate in the Nijjar murder probe.
Miller then said that the US has urged India to cooperate and will continue to do so. He said, “I do not have any further comment beyond what the two countries have said publicly. We have urged them to cooperate and will continue to urge them to do so.”
UK reaction
After a phone conversation between the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, and his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, the UK’s foreign, Commonwealth and development office has released a statement on the issue. It said the UK is communicating with Canadian officials regarding the significant developments revealed by independent investigations in Canada and the kingdom as complete trust in the Canadian legal system.
It said: “We are in contact with our Canadian partners about the serious developments outlined in the independent investigations in Canada. The UK has full confidence in Canada’s judicial system. Respect for sovereignty and the rule of law is essential.”
The UK office also noted that the appropriate course of action now is for the Indian government to cooperate with Canada’s legal proceedings. It said: “The Government of India’s cooperation with Canada’s legal process is the right next step.”
Australia reaction
Australia too has reacted to the diplomatic stand-off between India and Canada. Emphasizing respect for Canada’s judicial process, the country’s foreign and trade department, in a statement, said it has made “clear” about their “concerns” about Ottawa’s allegations against New Delhi.
Canberra’s statement said: “Australia has made clear our concerns about the allegations under investigation in Canada, and our respect for Canada’s judicial process.”
Calling for respecting sovereignty and rule of law of countries, it then added: “Our position of principle is that the sovereignty of all countries should be respected and that the rule of law should be respected.”
As reported earlier, Nijjar, 45, was murdered by unknown assailants who pumped bullets into him outside a Sikh temple in Surrey in Canada’s British Columbia, in June 2023. Following his murder, the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, told his country’s parliament, in September 2023, that investigators probing the murder unearthed evidence of India’s hand in Nijjar’s elimination.
