Canada Row: U.S Meets Top Indians

NEW DELHI: Following the allegations by Canada that Indian government agents have links to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, the United States has said it is in touch with India at high levels. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that Washington is giving India no “special exemption” in this matter.

“It is a matter of concern for us. It is something we take seriously. It is something we will keep working on, and we will do that regardless of the country,” Mr. Sullivan told reporters during a press conference at the White House.

“There is not some special exemption you get for actions like this. Regardless of the country, we will stand up and defend our basic principles and we will also consult closely with allies like Canada as they pursue their law enforcement and diplomatic process,” Mr Sullivan said.

India too said that it is in touch with its allies and partners. “We have been, of course, engaged with our partners on various issues, particularly including this one. We have been discussing it with them. We have conveyed our position, on how we see these developments. And I think those are part of ongoing conversations,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

It is learnt that New Delhi has reached out to Australia, the UK and the US, among others, and conveyed its concerns on the increasing activities of anti-India elements in Canada. The sources cited above also said that India has apprised its view to its key friends and partners about its overall position on the diplomatic row with Canada.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar, who will be in the United States for the UN General Assembly session, is expected to discuss the matter in detail with some of the countries including the US during his bilateral meetings.