The White House stated on Tuesday that it was “deeply concerned” by Canadian allegations that Indian operatives were involved in the death of a Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada.
“We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
“We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canada’s investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that “credible allegations” linked Indian operatives to Nijjar’s assassination in June. Nijjar had been accused by New Delhi of carrying out terrorist activities in India, which he rejected before his death.
However, New Delhi asserted that it had nothing to do with the murder, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “completely rejected” the accusation when it was presented informally by Trudeau earlier.
“Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.