Diplomatic Tensions & Allegations
Australia has expressed concerns over Canada’s allegations regarding Indian officials’ involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and stated that it has raised the issue with Indian authorities. Australia is a member of the Quad grouping with India and the Five Eyes intelligence alliance with Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had claimed that his government had “credible allegations” linking Nijjar’s killing to the “agents of the Government of India.” India has strongly denied this allegation.
Trudeau’s Claims and India’s Response
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong commented on the issue, he said:
“Look, these are concerning reports, and I note that investigations are still underway, but obviously these are concerning reports, and we are monitoring these developments closely with our partners, and we’ll continue to do so… We have, Australia has raised these issues with our Indian counterparts, as you would expect us to do.”
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
When asked about Australia’s plans to raise the issue with Japan, another member of the Quad, Wong emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty of all countries and the rule of law.
Regarding concerns about foreign interference from India in Australia, Wong highlighted that Australia is a robust democracy and that the peaceful expression of different views is a key part of its democracy.
She did not provide specific details about how Australia had shared its concerns with India, but she stated that they have been monitoring the developments with partners closely. She also refrained from discussing whether the issue was raised privately at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
Protection of Sikh Indians in Australia
Wong addressed concerns about the safety of Sikh Indians in Australia, emphasizing that the allegations are still under investigation. She reiterated Australia’s commitment to the right to peaceful protest and stated that Australian democracy should be unaffected by external concerns.
The recent diplomatic dispute between Canada and India escalated when Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat, alleging their involvement in Nijjar’s killing. India responded by asking a senior Canadian diplomat to leave the country. India firmly rejected the allegations and deemed them “absurd and motivated.”
Canada had reportedly sought public condemnation of Nijjar’s killing from its allies, including the United States, prior to making the allegations. All of these situations have increased diplomatic tensions including the handling of allegations. This is additionally fueled by Australia’s concerns.
