New Delhi, March 2 (ANI): India on Monday called for a focus on the rule of law rather than political narratives, stating that it trusts Canada’s legal process and is awaiting the outcome of the jury trial in the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an incident that had severely strained bilateral ties.
During the Ministry of External Affairs briefing on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s official visit to India, Secretary (East) P. Kumaran said India has confidence in Canada’s judicial system and will await the trial’s conclusion.
“We understand that the criminal investigation is proceeding as per established legal procedures. It will move to the full jury trial stage. The Canadians have an established legal procedure, and it will proceed as per that procedure. India has consistently maintained its commitment to the judicial process. We believe that sensitive matters are best allowed to proceed through established legal processes without public commentary,” he said.
Relations between the two countries had deteriorated over Canada’s allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency, outside a gurdwara in Canada in 2023. India strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.
While Prime Minister Carney’s visit has centered on economic cooperation, including uranium supplies and investments reportedly valued at $107 billion, unresolved extradition and criminal cases remain a key test of the renewed engagement between the two countries.
Kumaran said both sides are committed to actively following up on pending extradition and mutual legal assistance requests. India and Canada continue discussions on extradition, with the most recent meeting held in New Delhi on September 19, 2025.
“Extradition is regularly discussed in the Consular Dialogue. The extradition teams from both sides had their last meeting in Delhi on September 19, 2025. There was an exchange of information on all pending extradition and mutual legal assistance cases. That is a continuing process, and we are determined to actively follow up,” he said.
India currently has 26 pending extradition requests with Canada, along with several provisional arrest requests. These cases largely involve individuals accused of organized crime, gang violence, including those linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and separatist extremism.
Ahead of Carney’s visit, Canada initiated proceedings to revoke the citizenship of Tahawwur Rana, who is linked to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, a move seen as a significant signal of cooperation.
Recent reports indicate that Canadian intelligence officials are now confident that alleged transnational activities have ceased, creating space for a diplomatic reset.
Kumaran reiterated that India denies involvement in transnational violence or organized crime.
“India categorically rejects allegations of involvement in transnational violence or organized crime. These claims are baseless, politically motivated, and unsupported by credible evidence despite repeated requests. India believes that concerns of this nature must be addressed through credible law enforcement and judicial processes, not through public or politicized narratives,” he said.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart, Nathalie Drouin, met in September 2025 in New Delhi and again in February 2026 in Ottawa to develop a shared work plan on law enforcement cooperation.
The Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism has been reactivated to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing on extremist networks, and a dedicated mechanism has been established to handle Lookout Circulars and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty requests.
“Based on guidance provided by the leaders, we had meetings between the national security advisers of the two countries in Delhi on September 18, 2025, and again on February 7, 2026, in Ottawa. The two sides acknowledged progress on initiatives aimed at supporting the safety and security of their countries and citizens. It was also agreed to continue senior official-level discussions on security and law enforcement cooperation,” Kumaran said.
He added that both countries agreed to establish security and law enforcement liaison officers to strengthen working relationships and streamline communication.
“It was also agreed that each country would establish security and law enforcement liaison officers to build on working relationships, streamline bilateral communications, and enable timely information sharing on issues of mutual interest, including the illegal flow of drugs, fentanyl precursors, and transnational organized criminal networks,” he said. (ANI)
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