The United States and Britain sided with Canada in their investigation into the killing of Canadian Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, identifying senior Indian diplomats, including a former high commissioner (who was later removed by India) as “persons of interest”. , and said they hoped India would cooperate.

“We are in contact with our Canadian partners regarding the serious developments described in Canada’s independent investigation. The UK has full confidence in the Canadian justice system. “Respect for sovereignty and the rule of law is essential,” according to a statement by a spokesperson for the UK’s Overseas Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued on Wednesday.

“The Government of India’s cooperation with the Canadian legal process is the right next step,” the statement added.

The United States supports its neighboring countries

The United States also supported Canada’s investigation, saying the allegations against Indian officials and diplomats were serious and India should cooperate. “With respect to the Canadian matter, we have made it clear that the allegations are very serious and must be taken seriously, and we want the Indian government to cooperate with Canada in its investigation. “Obviously, they didn’t choose that path,” said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, at a press conference on Tuesday.

The United States has urged the two countries to work together and will continue to do so, Miller added.

Expel diplomats

On Monday, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, while India expelled six senior Canadian diplomats following a bitter dispute after Ottawa sent a diplomatic communication to India a day earlier stating that top Indian diplomats They were “persons of interest” in India. investigation into Nijjar’s murder.

Nijjar, a supporter of the Khalistani movement, was shot dead on June 18, 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

India categorically rejected the “unreasonable allegations” and linked them to the Trudeau government’s political agenda focused on “vote bank politics.”