London [UK]: Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, reaffirmed the strong partnership between India and its allies, stating, We share values and interests with our partners. He was responding to Canada’s accusation of Indian involvement in the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Doraiswami stressed the need for the inquiry committee to come to a decision before making any judgments.
Speaking at the conclusion of the Indo-Pacific Conference in London on Thursday, Doraiswami emphasized that the accusation was merely an accusation and not a conclusive statement. He also clarified that the issue at hand is not about India-Canada relations, but rather about the Indo-Pacific.
Addressing concerns about the reliability of partnerships, Doraiswami highlighted that partnerships are based on shared interests and values, something that India shares with all its partners. Echoing his sentiments, Australian High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, emphasized Australia and India’s shared values of democracy, respect for the rule of law, and adherence to contractual obligations.
The accusation made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in June stirred tensions between India and Canada. Trudeau alleged the involvement of agents of the Indian government in Nijjar’s killing. However, India firmly rejected these allegations as absurd and motivated, leading to the expulsion of a Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move.
The Ministry of External Affairs in India accused Canada of consistently accommodating anti-India extremists and called on the Canadian government to uphold its obligations under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. The MEA spokesperson also denounced interference by Canadian diplomats in India’s internal affairs, deeming it unacceptable.
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau recently called on the Indian government to cooperate in the investigation of Nijjar’s killing. In response, the Indian High Commissioner in Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, expressed India’s willingness to provide specific and relevant evidence to aid the investigation.
The ongoing investigation will shed light on the accusations against India and clarify the circumstances surrounding Nijjar’s death. Both India and Australia have emphasized the importance of allowing the investigative process to unfold before making any judgments. The partnership between India and its allies continues to be guided by shared values, interests, and a commitment to the rule of law.
The developments surrounding the India-Canada relationship and the accusations against India underscore the complexity of international diplomacy and the need for careful and thorough investigations into such matters.
Overall, the statements from the Indian High Commissioner and the Australian High Commissioner highlight the importance of partnerships based on mutual values and interests while emphasizing the need for evidence and due process in addressing serious allegations.
