PM Trudeau promotes Canada as a "rule-of-law country" after the arrest of three Indians in connection with the murder of Nijjar

PM Trudeau promotes Canada as a "rule-of-law country" after the arrest of three Indians in connection with the murder of Nijjar

Three Indian nationals living in Edmonton, Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, as well as Karanpreet Singh, 28, have been charged on Friday charged first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

He said that many Sikhs in Canada are experiencing feelings of insecurity in the wake of Nijjar's death.

A day after three Indian nationals have been charged with the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada is a "rule-of-law country" with an independent and powerful judicial system and a basic commitment to safeguard its people.

On June 18, 2023, Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot and killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

Three Indian nationals living in Edmonton, Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, have been charged on Friday charged first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Regarding the arrests that took place on Saturday at a Toronto event honoring Sikh history and culture, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "This is important because Canada is a rule-of-law country with a powerful and autonomous justice system, as well as a fundamental commitment to protecting all its citizens."

According to Trudeau, "as the RCMP stated, the investigation remains ongoing, as do a separate and distinct investigation not focused on the involvement of the three people arrested yesterday," according to Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

After Nijjar's death, he added, many Sikhs in Canada are feeling uncomfortable. He continued, saying, "Every Canadian has the fundamental right to live safely and free from discrimination including threats of violence in Canada." Following Trudeau's claims in September of last year on the "potential" involvement of Indian operatives in the murder of Nijjar, a 45-year-old Khalistan separatist, the ties between the United States and Canada came under extreme pressure.

Trudeau's accusations have been brushed off by India as "absurd" and "motivated." India has long been irritated by the existence of Sikh separatist organizations in Canada; Nijjar was labeled a "terrorist." Without providing any information, Canadian police said they had collaborated with US law enforcement after three Indian nationals were detained in relation to the murder.

The cops hinted that there could be more arrests to come. Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, the commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in the Pacific region, stated on Friday that while he would not comment on the purported connections between the three men detained and Indian officials, the force is "investigating connections to the government of India." External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday that India has no bearing on the events surrounding the death of Nijjar in poll-bound Canada, which are mostly the result of domestic politics.

He said that certain pro-Khalistan citizens are taking advantage of Canada's democracy to form a lobby and turn the country into a voting machine.

According to him, some parties in Canada rely on politicians who support Khalistan, and the governing party does not have a majority in Parliament.

"We have convinced them on numerous occasions not to give visa, legitimacy or political space to these kinds of people which is causing problems for them (Canada), for us and consequently for our relationship," Jaishankar said.

However, Jaishankar said that the Canadian government had done nothing and that India has requested the extradition of 25 individuals, the most of whom supported Khalistan, but that request had been ignored.

"Canada did not provide any evidence. In some situations, they withhold any proof from us, and police departments likewise don't work with us. In Canada, they are politically compelled to place the blame on India. They engage in vote-bank politics as Canada prepares for elections, the minister said.