The Five Eyes are backing Canada in a dispute with India over Nijjar
A diaphragmatic crisis has emerged between India and Canada in the backdrop of India alleging the involvement of Canada-based Indian diplomats in the 2023 murder of pro-Khalistan preacher Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
High Commission of Canada in India, at Shantipath in New Delhi.Credit: PTI Photo
The United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with Canada, the Foreign Office in London announced on Wednesday adding a new twist to the growing diplomatic war between India and Canada in connection with the role of three Canada-based Indian diplomat suspects in the 2023 murder of pro-Khalistan preacher Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Image: Sikh Separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
The UK has become the third country among the ‘Five Eye’ countries to come out in support of Canada’s stand. Earlier New Zealand and Australia also used extended support to Canada.
‘UK says we are in discussions with our Canadian counterparts regarding the developments described in the independent investigations in Canada. The U.K. has complete faith in Canada’s justice system. Regard for supremacy of local law is paramount,” the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office stated.
The Five Eye countries are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom: they frequently cooperate on matters of mutual security concern.
The key pillar
It will be pertinent to mention here that five-eye democracies hold the Universal enjoyment of political and civil liberties, freedom of assembly, and the right to hold peaceful protests among their important core values. Over the recent years, India has been uneasy about the passage of the now infamous so-called (online) referendum on Khalistan in all the five countries, but India’s voice failed to stop Five Eye countries from launching a crackdown on the pro-Khalistan campaigners.
Stressing on collaboration, the U.K. added: “The cooperation of the Government of India with Canada’s legal procedures should be the next course of action.”
First, New Zealand became the first among the friends of Canada among the Five Eye democracies to support the stand that it took Canada in response to the concern it had raised over the allegations, above.
“This is an obvious latitude of criminality if the revelations made by the Canadian police authorities in the public domain are true,” said New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters in a tweet post, on Tuesday.
Mr. Peters supported the rule of law and said: ‘At the same time we do not talk about the details of criminal proceedings in New Zealand or in other countries, except for the fact that the rule of law and judicial processes must be respected and enforced’.
Diplomats expelled
Accusing six Indian diplomats including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma of involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada has ejected them. To reciprocate, India also threw out six Canadian diplomats, including Stewart Ross Wheeler. Besides, both have provided time till October 19 for diplomats to leave or vacate the country. Australia has offered to stand alongside Canada with its claims and request nation-states to revere sovereignty.
Canada's Deputy High Commissioner to India Stewart Wheeler leaves from the Ministry of External Affairs, in New Delhi, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024.
“Australia has expressed concerns with the facts under investigations in Canada and mutual regard for operational independence of the Canadian judiciary. To use the words of an Official of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia: have stated our principal position as to the sovereignty of all countries and the rule of law should be respected.
Jairam Ramesh urges PM Modi to take the opposition leaders along the Anniversary of the Constitution and Secularism
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted on X and said that he has briefed PM Modi and the Leaders of Parliament of both houses along with other political leaders on the allegations put forward by the Canadian Government against India.
This demand has been occasioned by the deteriorating India-Canadian relations and increasing anxiety over the India-United States relations as previous allegations made by Canada, now supported by other nations, the continued hostility is likely to damage India’s international image and Brand India, Mr. Ramesh said. “I strongly recommend that the Government of India must immediately and unambiguously declare its position on this issue.”
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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