Canadian MP Sukhminder Dhaliwal denies ISI links, assures India of cooperation

After coming to Canada, “the very first day when Parliament opened after the summer break, he (Trudeau) made the statement that a foreign state agent was involved in the killing of Nijjar”.

When confronted that the “foreign agent” could be ISI, Dhaliwal said it was clear that the “Indian agency” was involved in Nijjar’s killing.

The Canadian government has so far not provided any evidence to support its allegations of the Indian government’s involvement in Nijjars’ killing despite the latter’s repeated insistence. Even Dhaliwal sounded wavering when slapped with the same question.

“There is an evidence that will be shared in court. He (Trudeau) does not want to mess up the justice system. He is a firm believer in justice. The Prime Minister of Canada will not make such a statement. The Five Eyes are standing with us,” Dhaliwal stressed.

Five Eyes is an alliance comprising Australia, Canada, the UK, the US and New Zealand, which share intelligence information with each other.

The Indian government has repeatedly raised the issue of notorious Indian criminal gangs operating in Canada with Trudeau’s government, for which, New Delhi has also sent 24 Letter Rogatory to Ottawa. Dhaliwal said Canada has always “cooperated” with India.

“Who gave them the fake passports? India. Who is messing up our country, it is India.” He even stressed that he never received any LRs from the National Investigation Agency nor had any discussions with them.

It should be noted that Dhaliwal has been appointed Chairperson of the Immigration Committee.

When asked if he or his government receives LRs and other requests to arrest criminals/gangs operating in Canada, Dhaliwal said if the Indian government provides them with the evidence, the Trudeau government will cooperate.

Dhaliwal stressed that India and Canada share good relations, it is the “killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil and at a place of worship, which is bothering (them)”.

Nijjar was killed by gunmen outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, on June 18. He was the chief of the proscribed Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). The first red corner notice was issued against him by Interpol in 2014, and India declared him a terrorist under the Unlawful Criminal Activities Act (UAPA) in 2020. The 45-year-old Khalistani leader was involved in networking, training, financing and operationalising the KTF terror module.