The US envoy states that the allegation against Trudeau regarding India is based on “intelligence shared by the Five Eyes partners”

Ottawa: David Cohen, the United States Ambassador to Canada, has disclosed that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received information concerning the link between the death of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the Indian government through “intelligence shared among Five Eyes partners.”

The recent international crisis between India and Canada arose due to the passing of a Khalistani Sikh leader. In a statement issued on Monday, PM Trudeau asserted that there were “credible reasons to believe that operatives of the government of India were involved” in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Ambassador Cohen explained that Trudeau’s statement was based on information provided through “intelligence shared among Five Eyes partners.” He mentioned that this collaborative intelligence played a crucial role in Canada’s decision to make these statements. As diplomatic tensions continue to escalate, with Canada reassessing its staffing in India and India suspending visa services for Canadians, questions have arisen regarding the nature of this intelligence, who had access to it, and when it was shared.

The Five Eyes alliance consists of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, focusing on both surveillance-based and signal intelligence. Ambassador Cohen’s statement represents the first official confirmation of cooperation between Canada and its Five Eyes allies by a U.S. government official.

The diplomatic crisis between Canada and India began when Trudeau accused Indian government officials of involvement in the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was killed in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. However, he was considered a wanted terrorist in India.

The United States urged the Indian government on Friday to collaborate with Canada in the investigation into Nijjar’s murder. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of the Canadian investigation proceeding and called for India’s cooperation to ensure accountability in the case.