India-Canada tension: 'If you give us any specific information...' Jaishankar's big statement on terrorist Nijjar murder case

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assured the Canadian side that action will be taken if they provide specific information regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He said we are open to looking at it.

Speaking at the 'Council on Foreign Relations' in New York, Jaishankar said, 'We told Canadians that this is not the policy of the Indian government. Secondly, we said if you have something specific and if you have something relevant, let us know. We're open to seeing it...the picture is kind of not complete without context. In particular, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support claims about Nijjar's murder.

He further said that in the last few years, there has been a lot of organized crime in Canada and the Indian government has given a lot of information to Canada about this. Jaishankar said, that in the last few years, Canada has indeed seen a lot of organized crime related to separatist forces, organized crime, violence, and extremism. They are all very deeply mixed. We are talking about specifications and information. We have given them a lot of information about organized crime and the leadership that operates in Canada. There are a large number of extradition requests. Some terrorist leaders have been identified.

The External Affairs Minister expressed concern over these incidents of threats to Indian diplomats and attacks on Indian Consulates, saying that these are very much permitted for political reasons.

Jaishankar further said, our concern is that for political reasons this is too permissive. So we have a situation where our diplomats are being threatened, our consulates are being attacked. Much of this is often justified because it is said that this is how democracies work. If anyone gives me some specific information, it should not be limited to Canada. But, if there is any incident that is an issue and someone gives me some specific information as a government, I will look into it.

Earlier last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive statement in which he accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has rejected his claim and called it absurd and motivated.

India has suspended its visa services in Canada following the allegations. Amid strained relations, India has issued an advisory for its citizens and those traveling to Canada to exercise extreme caution given increasing anti-India activities and politically motivated hate crimes and criminal violence in the country.

Also Read: India-Canada: Khalistan supporters demonstrated in Vancouver, security increased at Indian Consulate