Joe Biden raised the problem of Canadian Sikh deaths with India’s Modi on the G20 summit

Sources say different members of 5 Eyes have privately raised the allegation

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US President Joe Biden and different Western leaders expressed concern to Narendra Modi over Canadian allegations that New Delhi was concerned within the killing of a Sikh separatist in Vancouver after they met the Indian Prime Minister on the G20 summit this month.

Three folks acquainted with the discussions on the summit stated that a number of members of the 5 Eyes Community – an intelligence-sharing community that features the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – raised the problem of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nigar with Modi. Certainly one of them stated that Biden felt it was essential to handle the problem straight along with his Indian counterpart.

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The White Home declined to touch upon whether or not Biden mentioned this challenge with Modi on the G20 summit.

The leaders intervened on the G20 summit after Canada urged its allies to lift the problem straight with Modi, two folks acquainted with the scenario stated, including that Ottawa had requested them to say the allegations privately.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced in Parliament on Monday that there have been “credible allegations” that Indian authorities “brokers” had been behind the killing of Nigar, who was killed in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver, in June.

A photo of slain Sikh independence leader Hardeep Singh Nigar is seen during a protest outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver.
A photograph of slain Sikh independence chief Hardeep Singh Nigar throughout a protest outdoors the Indian Consulate in Vancouver on June 24, 2023. Photograph by Jason Payne/Postmedia/File

The controversial declare, which New Delhi dismissed as “ridiculous”, led to a direct collapse in Canada-India relations. India on Thursday stopped issuing visas to Canadian residents and ordered Ottawa to cut back its diplomatic presence within the nation. Earlier Thursday, World Affairs Canada stated it was adjusting its staffing ranges at missions in India attributable to considerations in regards to the security of its diplomats.

The disaster has raised questions on how Canada’s allies are dealing with the problem, particularly in gentle of the Biden administration’s intensified efforts to strengthen relations with India in an try and create a counterweight to China. The US President hosted Modi on a high-level state go to over the summer season.

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US officers strongly denied that Washington was silent on the problem to keep away from antagonizing India. The White Home stated it was “deeply involved” after Trudeau made the allegations. One particular person acquainted with the pondering throughout the administration stated Washington concluded that it was not acceptable to precise its opinion publicly earlier than the announcement due to the potential authorized implications for the Canadian investigation.

US Nationwide Safety Advisor Jake Sullivan on Thursday denied options that Washington’s need to strengthen ties with New Delhi would prohibit its capacity to precise its considerations in regards to the allegations. He stated the administration takes these allegations “severely” and can defend American rules whatever the nation concerned. He stated the US is consulting intently with Canada.

“We’re in fixed contact with our Canadian counterparts,” Sullivan stated, including that the US was additionally “in contact” with the Indian authorities.

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“The focusing on of dissidents in different international locations is totally unacceptable and we’ll proceed to take the required steps to reverse this follow,” stated Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the White Home Nationwide Safety Council.

Talking to reporters in New York on the sidelines of the UN Basic Meeting on Wednesday, Australian International Minister Penny Wong stated Canberra had “raised our considerations” with New Delhi, with out offering particulars.

CBC reported on Thursday, citing federal authorities sources, that intelligence obtained by the Canadian authorities relating to Najjar’s killing included communications associated to Indian officers and Indian diplomats stationed in Canada.

Canada’s Division of Public Security declined to remark.

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  • September 23, 2023