Canada’s spy chief visits India twice to share evidence about Nijjar’s murder
New Delhi: David Vigneault, the head of Canada’s intelligence agency, made two unannounced visits to India in February and March to share information about the involvement of Indian spy agencies in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh leader of Khalistan.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2022. The case has strained relations between India and Canada, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging Indian involvement in the killing.
Vigneault’s visits came before Canada arrested three Indian nationals including Karanpreet Singh (28), Kamalpreet Singh (22) and Karan Brar (22)– on charges of alleged involvement in Nijjar’s killing.
Subsequently, a fourth Indian, Amandeep Singh, was arrested by the Canadian authorities.
A government of Canada official said: “We can confirm that the Director of CSIS, David Vigneault, has travelled to India but we do not comment on the nature or substance of closed-door meetings.”
“With that said, since Canada became aware of the credible allegations, we have consistently provided all the information we can to India on the Nijjar case, through multiple channels,” he said.
Vigneault, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), shared information that emerged during Ottawa’s investigation into the killing.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating Nijjar’s murder. Canada has confirmed Vigneault’s travel to India but declined to comment on the nature of his meetings.
