India is extending greater cooperation with Canadian authorities on the ongoing investigation into the murder of gangster Hardeep Singh Nijjar, according to outgoing National Security and Intelligence Advisor (NSIA) Jody Thomas.
As she retired on Friday from the key post, Thomas indicated to Canadian media outlets that Delhi was now “working far more closely” with Ottawa to aid the probe by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
Her remarks come just months after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement in Parliament about alleged Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing led to a diplomatic crisis between the two countries. Both nations had expelled senior diplomats as relations nosedived.
However, Thomas now says discussions with her Indian counterpart have been productive in resolving tensions. She also credited India’s “tonal shift” approach towards the case as the reason behind warming bilateral ties.
According to her, the IHIT is gathering solid evidence to lay charges soon in the case. Two prime suspects linked to the Najjar shooting in Surrey City are already under police surveillance in Canada.
The murder of Nijjar, considered close to pro-Khalistan groups, has been a major irritant between Ottawa and New Delhi. Trudeau’s insinuation about covert Indian interference on Canadian soil had drawn a strong rebuttal last September.
India had suspended visa services for Canadians and sought parity in diplomatic staff numbers in retaliation. But most measures now stand normalized, even as the Najjar investigation remains a priority.
Senior bureaucrat Nathalie G Drouin will replace Thomas as National Security Advisor on Saturday. She had visited India last August to hold talks on this issue amid efforts to arrest the slide in ties.
