Arrests in Nijjar killing push Canada-India tensions to new high

It was news months in the making. Three arrests of Indian nationals nearly a year after sick activists Hardip Singh Niger was killed on Canadian soil. Justin Trudeau now keen to reassure the country’s sick community. Canada is a rule of law country with a strong and independent justice system. But investigators had little to say on the alleged involvement of the Indian government, even if sources tell CBC News police believe that to be true. Are investigating if there are any ties to the Government of India, an allegation Indian officials have angrily denied from the get go and again this weekend. India’s foreign minister says he doesn’t know much about the men arrested or any gang affiliations. But he blames Canada for what India has long accused the country of doing, fostering a safe space for those that Indian officials consider violent extremists. Number of people with organized crime links from Punjab have been made welcome in Canada. We have been telling Canada saying look, these are wanted criminals from India even with Indias strong denials that it orchestrated any assassination plot on the campaign trail this election, the Prime Minister has been flexing his muscles and embracing the image of a nationalist strongman protecting his nation at all costs. Against perceived enemies. This is a new India, he says, that will come into your home and kill you. For many in Canada’s sick diaspora, statements like that one are chilling as those close to Hardip Singh Niger pray for more evidence to be revealed by law enforcement. We think that this can happen again unless India is held to account at the international level or at all, police will say is that the investigation isn’t over. Salima Shivji, CBC News, Mumbai.