Toronto, September 26, 2023 (PPI-OT): Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair voicing concern over the measures taken by India including the suspension of visa services for Canadians has asked New Delhi to cooperate fully in the probe into Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Toronto’s relationship with India is “important” but to get to the truth, New Delhi needs to join the probe, said Blair, who gave interviews to the Canadian media.

“We received and believe we have very credible intelligence that causes us to be deeply concerned and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have now initiated an investigation,” Blair said in an interview during which he did not reveal at what stage the case had progressed or if the Canadian intelligence possessed a smoking gun. The Canadian Opposition has already asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to come clean on the evidence into a potential link between the murder and the Indian Government.

Asked about the measures adopted by India, Blair said, “I am concerned about the measures that they’re taking because we have a very significant (and) important Indo-Canadian population in this country, people who are connected to family and through business and other relationships to India.”

But the Indian Government cooperation is necessary to “know the truth and have the facts and then we can work together to resolve it in an appropriate way”.

In another interview, he said, “We understand that this can be, and has proven to be, a challenging issue with respect to our relationship with India… But at the same time, we have a responsibility to defend the law, defend our citizens, and at the same time make sure that we conduct a thorough investigation and get to the truth.”

For more information, contact:

Kashmir Media Service

Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549

Fax: +92-51-4861736

Email: info@kmsnews.org

Website: www.kmsnews.org