Shillong, September 24: According to officials from Western-allied nations, US intelligence agencies provided information that led Canada to hold India responsible for the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as reported by The New York Times.
The revelation came in the wake of Nijjar’s tragic murder on June 18 outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia. The report states that “American spy agencies offered their Canadian counterparts context that helped Canada conclude that India had been involved.”
Nevertheless, two allied officials, who chose to remain anonymous while speaking to the newspaper, noted that the “most definitive intelligence” regarding the killing was gathered by Canada itself.
This development aligns with claims made by US Ambassador to Canada David Cohen, who asserted that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation against India was grounded in “shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners.” The Five Eyes intelligence sharing network includes the US, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, established in 1946.
Notably, US officials were unaware of the plot or any evidence linking India’s involvement until after Nijjar was assassinated. According to allied officials, had the US possessed such information, they would have promptly informed Ottawa, adhering to the intelligence agencies’ “duty to warn” doctrine.
Furthermore, Canadian officials had reportedly warned Nijjar about potential dangers but did not disclose that he was the target of an Indian government plot.
The New York Times reported that the United States routinely shares extensive intercepted communications with its closest intelligence partners, including Canada. However, the contextual information related to the killing was shared intentionally as part of a broader intelligence package.
The Times reached out to a White House spokesperson, who declined to comment. The report suggests that US officials were hesitant to discuss the matter as they seek to maintain a delicate balance between their allies.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged India to cooperate with Canada and ensure “accountability” in Nijjar’s killing. Blinken expressed this during discussions on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, emphasizing the importance of a thorough investigation leading to a conclusive outcome.