Canadian Ambassador to the US Kirsten Hillman says the US response to Canada’s claims against India is “strong” as other allies choose not to publicly condemn India.
“I think the (U.S.) reaction was strong,” Hillman said in an interview with CTV’s Power Play on Wednesday. “They also expressed deep concern over information that has recently emerged.”
But sources in Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly’s office told CTV News that given the U.S.’s strategic push to expand bilateral ties with India, Canadian officials are unsure how far the U.S. is willing to go to help Canada. He said he was concerned.
In an unusual move, the RCMP and the federal government on Monday said they believe Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada are engaged in covert activities linked to serious criminal activity in the country, including murder and extortion. denounced.
RCMP also said they had identified more than a dozen credible and imminent threats to the lives of Canadian citizens associated with the pro-Khalistan movement, which supports an independent Sikh state from Indian territory. India rejected this claim.
In response, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the Indian High Commissioner. Jolie called him a “person of interest” in the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in B.C. last year. India also expelled six Canadian diplomats in what appeared to be retaliation.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a news conference Tuesday that Canada’s allegations are “extremely serious.”
“We had hoped that the Indian government would cooperate with the Canadian investigation. Obviously, they did not choose that path,” Miller said.
But when asked about India’s decision to expel six Canadian diplomats, Miller did not respond directly.
“I have no comment on that. But, as I’ve said before, those are serious charges,” Miller said.
An Indian delegation visited Washington this week to discuss an alleged murder-for-hire plot that U.S. officials uncovered last November. According to an unsealed indictment, Indian government officials directed assassination attempts in the United States and spoke about others, including Mr. Nijjar.
Unlike its response to Canada, India is cooperating with the U.S. investigation. Despite the fact that Canadian authorities presented the information to India last weekend, India continues to insist that Canada has not yet shared the evidence.
Asked whether the U.S. investigation had affected India-India relations, Miller said India “continues to be a very strong partner of the United States.”
In an interview with CTV’s Power Play, Hillman acknowledged that India treats Canada differently compared to the United States.
“It hasn’t been that successful. You’re absolutely right,” Hillman told host Mike Le Coutour. “But I think the important thing to say here is that we’re all allies and we’re all trying to work together and support each other.”
Other allies in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance have also asked for India’s cooperation, although some statements do not mention India directly.
“Australia has made clear its concern about the allegations being investigated in Canada and its respect for the Canadian judicial process,” a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said in a statement to CTV News on Wednesday.
“Our principled position is that the sovereignty of all countries should be respected and the rule of law should be respected.”
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters also made a comment on the social media platform ‘X’, but did not mention India by name.
“The allegations of criminal conduct publicly outlined by Canadian law enforcement officials would be deeply disturbing if proven,” Peters wrote.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the UK’s Department for Foreign Affairs and Development said: “The UK has full confidence in Canada’s justice system.” Respect for sovereignty and the rule of law is essential. ”
“The Indian government’s cooperation with Canada’s legal process is the right next step.”
With files from Brennan McDonald, senior producer of CTV’s Question Period
