India cooperating on probe into Khalistani leader Nijjar's murder, says former Canadian NSA

After the ties between India and Canada severed due to the murder of a Khalistani leader and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a former Canadian national security advisor has acknowledged that India is now cooperating with Canada in the ongoing probe and bilateral ties are improving following months of tensions over the matter.

Ex-Canadian NSA called the changing relationship as an "evolution."

This is the first time a Canadian official has acknowledged that India has moved things forward following allegations of non-cooperation against India by Canada amid tensions over Nijjar's killing.


The relations between the two countries saw some bitterness last year following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation about India's suspected involvement in the killing. India denied the allegation as "absurd and motivated."

On remarks by Thomas who retired on January 26, Indian government has offered no official response.

India's stance:
India has maintained that Canada has never shared any evidence or information to back its claim that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Nijjar.

"I would not describe them as non-cooperating," Thomas said.

"My discussions with my counterpart in India have been fruitful, and I think they've moved things forward," said Thomas.

When asked whether Canada's improved relationship with India was a result of the US indictment against Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, in a murder-for-hire plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, Thomas said: "The two are connected for sure."

"The information that they revealed supported our position and our assertions with India. India is working with us, and my counterpart, in particular, far more closely to resolve this," said Thomas.

Canada working to improve ties with India:
Thomas, who was appointed to the role of National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister in January 2022, in another interview with CBC News said Canada is "working back toward a healthier relationship" with India after months of tense relations.

In October, 41 Canadian diplomats left India after it threatened to revoke their diplomatic immunity. Those diplomats have not returned.

Thomas, who flew to India on many occasions to discuss the allegations, said the reaction by Indian officials was "really unfortunate" and a "bit of a surprise."

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating Nijjar's case.

Thomas said the RCMP is being careful to ensure "that every 'T' is crossed and 'I' dotted to have a successful prosecution."

(with agency inputs)