"High-Level Canadian Official's Public Statements Damage Investigation into June Murder of Sikh Terrorist in British Columbia, Says Indian High Commissioner to Canada"

Canadaian police probe into the June murder of a Khalistani terrorist in British Columbia has been hampered by a high-level Canadian official's public statements, according to India's High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, in an interview published in the Globe and Mail on Saturday.

Verma expressed his concern, stating, "I would go a step further and say now the investigation has already been tainted. A directive has been issued from a high-ranking source insinuating Indian involvement."

The official's identity was not disclosed by Verma. However, on September 18, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned, "Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India" and Nijjar's death.

This case has ignited a diplomatic dispute between the two nations, leading Canada to withdraw 41 diplomats from India after New Delhi requested a reduction in Ottawa's diplomatic presence in September in response to Canada's allegations regarding Nijjar's killing.

Verma stated that Canada and its allies have not presented concrete evidence to India proving Indian involvement in Nijjar's murder.

Despite the strained relations between the two countries, Verma expressed India's desire to strengthen business ties and resume negotiations for a trade deal.

In September, Canada suspended discussions on a proposed trade agreement with India, just three months after both nations had expressed their intent to finalize an initial agreement within the year.