Five-eyes ally raises doubts on Canada's evidence in Nijjar assassination

PTC News Desk: In a significant development, New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has cast doubt on Canada's claim suggesting a potential Indian connection in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar's assassination occurred within Canadian borders, prompting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to directly implicate New Delhi in the incident back in September.

New Zealand, a member of the Five-Eyes intelligence alliance alongside the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, reportedly received intelligence from Canada concerning the Nijjar case. However, during an interview with The Indian Express, Peters expressed skepticism regarding the evidence provided by Canada.

When queried about whether New Zealand had communicated its stance to India, Peters, who is currently on an official visit to India, indicated that he was not directly involved in the matter's management, which was primarily handled by the previous government.

"Well, I wasn’t here, it was handled by the previous government. But look, sometimes when you’re hearing Five-Eyes information, you’re hearing it and saying nothing. It is coming past you. You don’t know the value or the quality of it, but you’re pleased to have it. You don’t know whether there is going to be substantial material value or nothing. But the very, very critical information that matters… This was mainly handled by the previous government," Peters explained.

"As a trained lawyer, I look okay, so where’s the case? Where’s the evidence? Where’s the finding right here, right now? Well, there isn’t one," he further added.

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This instance marks the first time a Five-Eyes partner has openly questioned Canada's assertions regarding the Nijjar case.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, designated as a terrorist in India, was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the evening of June 18, 2023. His death incited a significant diplomatic rift between India and Canada.

Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing on Canadian soil, made in September last year, were deemed unsubstantiated by India, which rejected them as "absurd and motivated." Despite Canada's claims, the Ministry of External Affairs asserts that no evidence supporting these allegations has been presented by Canada.

To date, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has not identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with Nijjar's assassination.

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(Inputs from agencies)