Canada’s Justin Trudeau speaks out after 3 Indians arrested in connection with Hardeep Nijjar’s murder: Why this is significant

Three Indians have been arrested in connection with the death of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, sparking a response from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police identified the suspects as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karan Brar, 22, who were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Trudeau emphasized Canada’s commitment to the rule of law and its strong and independent justice system in response to the arrests. The trio was apprehended in Edmonton, Alberta, following the investigation into Nijjar’s murder.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen advocating for Khalistan, was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver. Trudeau previously raised concerns about Indian government involvement in the case, leading to tensions between Canada and India.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attributed the situation in Canada to internal politics, stating that pro-Khalistan groups were leveraging Canada’s democracy for their agenda. He highlighted the challenges in extradition requests and lack of cooperation in sharing evidence between the two countries.

Trudeau expressed solidarity with the Sikh community in Canada, emphasizing the right to safety and freedom from discrimination. The ongoing investigations and political dynamics surrounding the case continue to impact relations between Canada and India.