A matter of concern…Australia’s shocking reaction to Canada’s accusation against India

Australia (one of the Five Eyes) raised with India the issue of Canadian claims of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said at a news conference in New York that these are concerning reports, and I think the investigation is still ongoing, but obviously these are concerning reports, and as I said, we are working with our partners. We are monitoring these developments closely, and we will continue to do so. We, Australia, have raised these issues with our Indian counterparts, as you would expect from us.

Asked whether Australia plans to raise the issue with Japan, given that it is a member of the Quad along with India. Penny Wong said Australia’s core position is that we believe the sovereignty of all countries should be respected. We believe that the rule of law must be respected. The External Affairs Minister was also asked whether he had any concerns about India’s foreign interference in Australia, to which he replied that I think Australia is a strong democracy. I think there is a range of views from the Indian diaspora and we have made clear in relation to the democratic debate in Australia that the peaceful expression of different views is an important part of Australia’s democracy.

Trudeau’s claim against India

Justin Trudeau, while addressing the Canadian Parliament on Monday, alleged that Indian agents were behind the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He claimed that his country’s national security officials had reasons to believe that “agents of the Government of India” carried out the assassination of Nijjar, who was also the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey.