S Jaishankar Calls For Transparency As Canada Arrests 3 Indians In Nijjar Killing

New Delhi: Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar has said that India will await information sharing from Canadian authorities regarding the arrest and charging of three Indian men accused of murdering Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. The Canadian police announced the charges on Friday, while also indicating an investigation into potential links between the suspects and the Indian government.

The arrests come after months of tension between India and Canada over the case.

Nijjar, 45, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, last June. Canadian authorities allege involvement by the Indian government, a claim New Delhi vehemently denies.

On Friday, Edmonton police arrested the three suspects and charged them with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

“We’ve seen the news reports,” said India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. “While the background of the suspects remains unclear, we await official communication from Canadian authorities.”

Jaishankar reiterated India’s concerns over “organized crime elements from Punjab operating in Canada.”

India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, expressed hope for regular updates on the case.

“We respect Canada’s internal investigation,” Verma said. “Our primary concern is the well-being of the arrested Indian nationals and ensuring due process is followed.”