David Cohen, the US Ambassador to Canada, has confirmed that the intelligence shared among the Five Eyes alliance played a crucial role in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent accusations against the Indian government.
Diplomatic Tensions Surge Over Sikh Leader’s Death
The international tension between Canada and India escalated following the death of Khalistani Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Earlier this week, PM Trudeau claimed there were strong indications pointing to the Indian government’s involvement in Nijjar’s assassination.
Ambassador Cohen elaborated that Trudeau’s remarks were grounded in intelligence insights from the Five Eyes partners. “In light of this intelligence, Canada has been reevaluating its diplomatic presence in India, while India responded by halting visa services for Canadians,” Cohen revealed during an interview with CTV News Channel.
A Glimpse into the Five Eyes Alliance
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance comprises the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. This collaborative entity specializes in both surveillance and signal intelligence sharing. This is the maiden acknowledgement of Canada’s partnership with the Five Eyes allies on this matter, as given by a US governmental representative.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian national, met his untimely demise on June 18 in Surrey, British Columbia. While he may have been a citizen in Canada, India labelled him a sought-after terrorist.
Antony Blinken, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, appealed to the Indian government on Friday to cooperate with Canada in probing Nijjar’s death. He stated, “We’ve consistently liaised with our Canadian counterparts, ensuring close coordination. The Canadian-led investigation should continue unhindered, and it’s pivotal for India to assist. Accountability is our ultimate aim, and we trust the investigation will pave the way.”
