North News
New Delhi, October 30
Senior Canadian officials acknowledged leaking sensitive intelligence on India’s alleged involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar to US based news outlet The Washington Post, a move that has intensified diplomatic friction between Ottawa and New Delhi. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s National Security Adviser, Nathalie Drouin, told a parliamentary committee she shared the information without Trudeau’s authorization, emphasizing that no classified intelligence was provided to the US-based news outlet.
Drouin and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison reportedly released information regarding the alleged role of Indian-linked networks in both Nijjar’s death and the murder of Sukhdool Singh Gill, who was killed in Winnipeg in September, the Canada-based news outlet the Globe and Mail reported.
Drouin defended the decision, stating it was “strategic” to ensure Canada’s perspective reached an international audience. Conservative MP Raquel Dancho expressed dismay over the decision, questioning why details were withheld from Canadian citizens but provided to a foreign news outlet. “It’s unfair to the Canadian public that information was released abroad first,” Dancho remarked during the committee meeting, the Canada-based news outlet said.
The North News quoting India Today previously reported that a high-level meeting between India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Drouin was held in Singapore regarding Nijjar’s death. India has categorically denied any involvement, calling the allegations politically driven and asserting that Trudeau’s government is catering to specific voter groups.
As tensions remain high, both countries have expelled multiple diplomats. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called Canada’s actions “preposterous,” attributing the diplomatic rift to rising extremism in Canada. Indian diplomats have faced harassment and threats, with India citing security concerns and asserting that its officials are endangered by Canada’s domestic policies.
Relations between the two countries have grown increasingly strained, especially after Trudeau’s 2018 visit to India, which Indian officials have criticized for appeasing extremists.
