'Legal Process Is Underway': Mark Carney On Nijjar Case Probe After Inviting PM Modi To G7

Last Updated:June 06, 2025, 23:35 IST

Mark Carney's remarks came after he invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed on June 18, 2023, outside a gurdwara in British Columbia. (File)

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney refused to comment on the ongoing probe in the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, saying that a legal process is underway.

He further asserted that Canada follows rule of law and no one would interfere in the ongoing investigations. Carney’ predecessor Justin Trudeau had openly accused New Delhi of plotting the murder of Nijjar.

Carney’s remarks came after he invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. As this year’s chair of the G7, Carney said it’s important to have India at the table in Kananaskis while world leaders discuss issues including energy security and critical minerals, given the country’s size and key role in the global supply chain.

PM Modi said that he had a “warm" conversation with newly elected Canadian PM. He congratulated him and confirmed his participation in the upcoming G7 Summit.

Mark Carney, a former central banker and climate finance advocate, became Canada’s Prime Minister after leading the Liberal Party to victory in the recent general election.

Indo-Canadian Souring Ties

Indo-Canadian ties have nosedived in the aftermath of Nijjar’s killing as well as Trudeau’s allegations.

In September 2023, Trudeau had accused New Delhi of having a “potential" involvement of Indian agents in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.

India has repeatedly denied these allegations, and has taken a decisive stand against what it perceives as Canada’s non-seriousness in dealing with the Khalistan issue.

The ties further strained when Trudeau named Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma as a person of interest in an investigation, without naming the case. A person of interest means a suspect who is not arrested.

Earlier this year, a public inquiry on foreign interference in Canada has found “no definitive link to a foreign state" in the killing of Nijjar.

What Is Hardeep Singh Nijjar Case?

Nijjar was killed on June 18, 2023, outside a gurdwara in British Columbia.

According to the probe report, Canada’s security and intelligence agencies initially assessed this to be a gang or criminal activity, and Trudeau was informed of this. But, as more intelligence was gathered over the summer, India’s involvement was revealed and the then Prime Minister was promptly briefed on the updated assessment, the report stated.

“The government wanted India to acknowledge its involvement in the killing but also needed a pragmatic approach to resolve the issue. The then Prime Minister testified that the immediate approach was to engage with India and communicate the need for the two countries to work together while ensuring there was accountability," it said.

In August and September 2023, there were a series of meetings between the National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister (NSIA), the CSIS Director, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and their Indian counterparts. India, however, did not acknowledge its involvement in Nijjar’s killing.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ...

Read More

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News world 'Legal Process Is Underway': Mark Carney On Nijjar Case Probe After Inviting PM Modi To G7