Harjit Singh Sajjan, Canada’s former minister of defence, categorically rejected recent accusations that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was forced to meet with Sikh activists during his 2018 visit to Punjab, India, calling them “not accurate.”
One thing I can tell you is that that report is not correct’, Sajjan said in an interview with the Canadian specialist television network CPAC. But I think it’s safe to say that India has spread a great deal of false information and misinformation about people in my nation, including my family and me.”
According to a report in The Globe and Mail, India allegedly insisted on Trudeau and Sajjan meeting with a government official during the 2018 visit to Punjab. This official reportedly raised concerns about Sikh separatists in Canada, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and provided a dossier containing the names of about 10 Sikh activists.
Sajjan highlighted the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation targeting individuals within Canada, including himself and his family. He emphasized the importance of Canadians having confidence in their independent police forces and intelligence services.
Minister Sajjan reaffirmed, “And one thing I can assure you is that our police forces are independent. And as a former police officer, I can definitely attest to that.”
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland echoed the commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Canadians, particularly members of the Sikh community. She stressed the fundamental right to freely express oneself and acknowledged the concerns of Sikhs in light of recent arrests.
The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada escalated in 2023 after Trudeau accused Indian government agents of killing Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist by India. India dismissed the accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Three men were arrested in Edmonton last week in connection with Nijjar’s shooting in June 2023, further straining relations between Canada and India. Members of the Sikh community protested outside a Surrey courtroom during the suspects’ first court appearance, expressing distrust in India’s government regarding Nijjar’s killing.
The suspects, Karan Brar, Karanpreet Singh, and Kamalpreet Singh, appeared in court, with Brar and Karanpreet Singh scheduled to appear again on May 21. Kamalpreet Singh is yet to decide on legal representation, and the court is awaiting a new date for his appearance.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. While a video allegedly showing his killing surfaced in March this year, Canadian authorities have not shared evidence implicating India in the incident.