At a time when even the Canadian media and section of its intelligentsia have blasted Justin Trudeau for airing unsubstantiated and bizarre allegations against India, its big-brother ally, the US has come out in his defence. Notably, last year, Justin Trudeau inflicted a major blow to the bilateral ties with India when he alleged the Indian government’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar without a shred of evidence. Since then, India has repeatedly asked Trudeau to share evidence, if any, to substantiate what New Delhi has dubbed ‘absurd’ allegations.
However, other than being politically stubborn for his political gains and pandering to Khalistani elements, Trudeau’s remark has exhibited a sheer lack of confidence in the want of proof to substantiate his allegations. With changing remarks like “credible evidence”, “credible allegations” and India “possibly” involved, he has garnered severe criticism from India, Canadian media, and intelligentsia for airing the unsubstantiated allegation and hoping others to “Trust him, bro”.
Coming in the defence of ‘ostracised’ Justin Trudeau, the State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “When it comes to the Canadian matter, we have made clear that the allegations are extremely serious and they need to be taken seriously. And we wanted to see the government of India cooperate with Canada in its investigation.”
“Obviously, they (India) have not…they have chosen an alternate path,” he added.
India, however, has made it clear on numerous occasions that the allegations by Canada were “absurd”.
A few days ago, India and Canada expelled each other’s ambassadors.
The development followed Canadian allegation that Indian involvement in a campaign against Sikh separatists went beyond a point, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying India had made a “fundamental error.”
Tensions sky rocketed since Canada alleged that the Indian government was involved in killing a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Interestingly, the US too had alleged a similar, albeit unsuccessful, assassination plot by India on its soil.
Indian team in the US
Meanwhile, an Indian “Enquiry Committee” constituted in response to the US allegations was in Washington to discuss the case, a State Department official told media.
“(India) has informed the United States they are continuing their efforts to investigate other linkages of the former government employee and will determine follow-up steps, as necessary,” the US State Department said.
“The fact that they sent an Enquiry Committee here, I think, demonstrates that they are taking this seriously,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby was quoted as saying in the reports.