New Zealand Deputy PM Questions Canadian Claim of Indian Link in Nijjar Killing

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has cast doubt on Canada’s claim of a potential Indian link in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. As a member of the Five-Eyes intelligence alliance, New Zealand reportedly received intelligence from Canada about the Nijjar case. However, Peters expressed skepticism about the evidence provided by Canada during an interview with The Indian Express. This marks the first instance of a Five-Eyes partner openly questioning Canada’s claims regarding the Nijjar case.

Peters, a trained lawyer, emphasized the lack of concrete evidence, stating, “As a trained lawyer, I look okay, so where’s the case? Where’s the evidence? Where’s the finding right here, right now? Well, there isn’t one.” He mentioned that the handling of the matter was primarily done by the previous government.

The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, designated a terrorist in India, occurred in June 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia. The incident led to a diplomatic row between India and Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made unsubstantiated allegations against Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing, which India rejected as “absurd and motivated.” The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has yet to name suspects or make arrests in connection with Nijjar’s death.