Vigneault shared information from Ottawa’s investigation, but Canadian authorities have not disclosed the specifics of these discussions…reports Asian Lite News
Amid strained ties between India and Canada following the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada’s intelligence agency chief David Vigneault made two secret visits to India in February and March this year, reported PTI. These visits aimed to inform Indian officials about the investigation into Nijjar’s death.
Vigneault shared information from Ottawa’s investigation, but Canadian authorities have not disclosed the specifics of these discussions. Canada has accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s killing, a claim India has strongly denied, demanding evidence from Canada.
“We can confirm that the Director of CSIS, David Vigneault, has travelled to India but we do not comment on the nature or substance of closed-door meetings,” a Canadian government official stated. He added that Canada has consistently provided India with all available information on the Nijjar case, as noted by Prime Minister Trudeau and Canada’s Minister for Public Safety.
Four Indian nationals – Amandeep Singh, Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karan Brar – have been arrested by Canadian authorities for their alleged involvement in Nijjar’s killing, which is being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
“Canada’s priorities from the start have been to ensure truth and accountability. This is in both our countries’ interest. Canada continues to underscore the importance of the ongoing, independent investigation led by the RCMP,” the Canadian official emphasized.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.
Posters of Indira assassination
Reacting to Khalistani supporters putting up posters of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc emphasised that promoting violence is never acceptable in the country.
In a post on X, Leblanc wrote, “This week, there were reports of imagery depicting the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Vancouver. The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada.”
On Saturday, Indian-origin Canadian member of Parliament Chandra Arya also expressed similar concern over Khalistani supporters in Canada putting up posters of Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
Arya claimed that the Khalistani supporters are once again attempting to “instil fear of violence in ‘Hindu-Canadians'” by putting up posters of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, showing bullet holes in her body with her Sikh bodyguards turned assassins holding guns.
The Canadian member of parliament, Arya, further recalled the similar float of threats that were spread a couple of years back.
“Khalistan supporters in Vancouver with posters, of Hindu Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi body with bullet holes with her bodyguards turned assassins holding their guns, are again attempting to instil fear of violence in Hindu-Canadians,” Arya said in a post shared on X.
“This is a continuation of threats with a similar float in Brampton couple of years back and few months back Pannu of Sikhs for Justice asking Hindus to go back to India. I again call on law enforcement agencies in Canada to take immediate action,” Arya added.
The Canadian member of parliament said that if this continues to remain unchallenged, it might lead to something real.
“With picture of guns readily being used to convey the message may lead to something real if this is left to continue unchallenged,” he said on X.
Adding to this, Arya emphasised that the prominence of Indira Gandhi’s bindi on her forehead was to make “doubly sure” that the intended targets were Hindu-Canadians.
“The prominence of the bindi on the forehead of Indira Gandhi is to make doubly sure the intended targets are Hindus in Canada,” he wrote. (with inputs from agencies)
ALSO READ: Search Intensifies for Reasi Attackers