Australia Says Raised Issue Of Khalistani Terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s Killing With India

Australia is a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, grouping with India, Japan and US.

Updated on: 20 September 2023 10:52 am

Pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar shot dead in Canada

Australia has reacted to the controversy over Canada's allegation that Indian officials played a role in the killing of a Khalistani terrorist—Hardeep Singh Nijjar, saying the reports are "concerning".

Australia has also said it has raised the issue with its "Indian counterparts".

Australia is a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, grouping with India, Japan and the United States.

It is also part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance with Canada, the US, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Earlier, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had said his government had "credible allegations" linking the killing of terrorist Nijjar in June with the "agents of the Government of India".

Later, he said he was not looking to "provoke" India or "escalate" tension, but wanted New Delhi to treat Nijjar's killing with "utmost seriousness".

India has rejected the allegation as "absurd and motivated".

According to the NDTV report, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, "Look, these are concerning reports, and I note that investigations are still underway, but obviously these are concerning reports and we are monitoring these developments closely with our partners, and we'll continue to do so... We have, Australia has raised these issues with our Indian counterparts, as you would expect us to do.”

Wong as per the report also said while she can't give a commentary on what is raised and what will be raised, the country's principal position is that it believes the sovereignty of all countries and the rule of law should be respected.

"I think Australia is a robust democracy, and I think the Indian diaspora has a range of views, and you know, we have made clear in relation to democratic debate in Australia that the peaceful expression of different views is a key part of Australia's democracy, and I think most Australians would agree with that," she was quoted as having said.

"I would just say to you that we have been monitoring these developments with partners closely, we will continue to do so, and I will confirm that we have raised our concerns with India. I'm not going to go into any further detail on that," she said as per the report.