US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation into the killing of a Sikh separatist in June this yr, which has sparked a major diplomatic dispute between New Delhi and Ottawa.
The connection between India and Canada got here underneath extreme pressure after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in September that there was a “potential” involvement of Indian brokers within the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Blinken, together with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, was in Delhi for the fifth version of the ‘2+2’ dialogue.
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“We think it is very important that India works with Canada on its investigation, and that they find a way to resolve this difference in a cooperative way,” Blinken mentioned.
“But that really does go with Canada moving its investigation forward and India working with Canada on it. And that’s something that I’ve discussed with our Indian counterparts, including today,” he mentioned at a media briefing right here.
“These (India and Canada) are two of our closest friends and partners, and of course we want to see them resolving any differences or disputes that they have as a friend of both,” the US Secretary of State mentioned.
At a separate media briefing, Overseas Secretary Vinay Kwatra mentioned New Delhi conveyed to the US aspect it’s critical considerations over rising actions of pro-Khalistani parts in Canada.
“Insofar as Canada is concerned we have been having very consistent conversations with all our friends and partners. Our position on this matter has been enunciated and explained in full detail on multiple occasions,” Kwatra mentioned.
“The thrust of our conversations with our partners is no different today than it is at any other forum — it is essentially that we have core security concerns, a recent video surfaced from Pannun which presents a very serious security concern for the Indian interest,” Kwatra mentioned.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, founding father of outlawed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), just lately launched a video threatening passengers of Air India flights on November 19, the day the ICC world cup last takes place.
“We have made our position very, very clear to our friends and partners, they understand and appreciate that sense of where India comes from,” he mentioned, when requested whether or not India’s ties with Canada figured within the talks.
Days after Trudeau’s allegations, India quickly suspended issuance of visas to Canadian residents and requested Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence within the nation to make sure parity.
Canada has already withdrawn 41 diplomats and their relations from India. India has resumed among the visa companies.
Answering a query, Kwatra mentioned the scenario within the Center-East figured within the talks.
“Among regional developments, three sets of things discussed included developments in the Middle-East. Both sides shared their perspective of their concerns, how they look at the situation, and various elements of the developing situation,” he mentioned. The international secretary mentioned India’s place on the difficulty is well-known, including either side shared their perspective of their considerations and the way they take a look at the scenario.
He mentioned sure parts of how either side take a look at the scenario are widespread.
“From India’s perspective, we have always stood for a two-state solution and early resumption of dialogue,” Kwatra mentioned, noting that when the hostilities began, India condemned the horrific terror assaults.
“We have asked for strict observance of international humanitarian law, de-escalation of the situation and condemned the civilian casualties,” he mentioned.