Amid the latest diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, there are reports coming in that US president Joe Biden had raised the alleged killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Delhi G20 Summit. The Financial Times reported that apart from Biden, other global leaders had also expressed their concern regarding the alleged murder.
The members of Five Eyes had spoken directly with PM Modi in this regard, the FT report added. Five Eyes is the global intel sharing alliance that includes the US, Australia, the UK, New Zealand as well as Canada. It should be noted that Canadian officials have also stated the claim of India’s ‘potential’ role in Nijjar’s killing was based on the intel report provided by ‘Five Eyes.’ The FT report further states that Biden spoke with PM Modi directly after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau requested the allies.
Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday said that Washington and New Delhi are in touch at ‘highest level’ after Ottawa made claims about Nijjar’s murder. Sullivan also added that the US isn’t giving ‘special exemption’ to India in this regard. India has rebuffed Canada’s claims and termed them ‘absurd.’ During a press briefing on Thursday, the India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that Canada didn’t provide any specific detail about the Nijjar’s murder. The 45-year-old was shot down at a Gurudwara in Canada’s Surrey.
Earlier on Thursday, India announced the suspension of visa services for Canadians as the standoff intensified. Ottawa has also been asked to ‘readjust’ the staff strength at Canadian missions across India. India has termed Trudeau’s allegations as ‘politically provoked’. MEA, during the briefing, also called Canada a ‘safe haven’ for terrorists.