<\/p>\n
The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation of a Sikh activist\u2019s murder, which it has alleged<\/a> was done by India, CBC News<\/em> reported<\/a> on Friday.<\/p>\n The unprecedented tensions flared up on Monday after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said<\/a> Ottawa was \u201cactively pursuing credible allegations\u201d linking Indian government agents to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar<\/a>, 45, outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June.<\/p>\n The two countries, whose relations have been fraying in recent years over the issue of Sikh separatists, have since announced tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats<\/a> and issued tit-for-tat travel advisories<\/a>.<\/p>\n Indian PM Narendra Modi\u2019s government denied any links to the alleged murder. While calling on India to cooperate with the investigation into the murder, Canada said<\/a> on Thursday it would not release its evidence.<\/p>\n Traditional Canadian allies have so far taken a relatively cautious approach to the matter. Analysts say this is partly because the United States and other major players see India as a counterweight to the growing influence of China.<\/p>\n Today, quoting Canadian government sources, CBC News<\/em> said the \u201cintelligence includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada\u201d.<\/p>\n It added that the intelligence \u201cdid not come solely from Canada\u201d and some was also provided by \u201can unnamed ally in the Five Eyes\u201d alliance \u2014 an intelligence-sharing network that includes the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n The Canadian publication went on to add that the slain Sikh leader \u201creportedly had been warned by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service that he was at risk\u201d.<\/p>\n The report further said that \u201cin a diplomatic crisis that unfolded progressively behind the scenes, Canadian officials went to India on several occasions seeking cooperation\u201d in the investigation of Nijjar\u2019s death.<\/p>\n CBC News<\/em> said that Canada\u2019s National Security and Intelligence Adviser Jody Thomas was in India over four days in mid-August. Another five-day visit this month overlapped with a \u201ctense meeting<\/a>\u201d between the two countries\u2019 premiers, it added.<\/p>\n The report quoted Canadian sources as saying: \u201cWhen pressed behind closed doors, no Indian official has denied the bombshell allegation at the core of this case \u2014 that there is evidence to suggest Indian government involvement in the assassination of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can assure you that the decision to share these allegations on the floor of the House of Commons \u2026 was not done lightly,\u201d CBC<\/em> quoted Trudeau as stating yesterday after attending the 78th UN General Assembly in New York. \u201cIt was done with the utmost seriousness.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the US is in touch with Indians at high levels and Washington is giving India no \u201cspecial exemption<\/a>\u201d in the matter, its national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday.<\/p>\n The United States has been seeking to strengthen its relationship with India. President Joe Biden hosted Modi<\/a> for a state visit at the White House earlier this year.<\/p>\n Asked whether US concern over the incident could disrupt that process, Sullivan said the United States would stand up for its principles, regardless of what country is affected.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a matter of concern for us. It is something we take seriously. It is something we will keep working on, and we will do that regardless of the country,\u201d Sullivan told reporters<\/a> at the White House.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s not some special exemption you get for actions like this. Regardless of the country, we will stand up and defend our basic principles and we will also consult closely with allies like Canada as they pursue their law enforcement and diplomatic process.\u201d<\/p>\n Sullivan noted that the United States was in touch with both countries about the topic. \u201cWe are in constant contact with our Canadian counterparts \u2026 and we have also been in touch with the Indian government,\u201d Sullivan said.<\/p>\n Earlier, John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council (NSC) had said it supported Canada\u2019s efforts to investigate the killing and encouraged India<\/a> to cooperate in the probe.<\/p>\n Separately, another NSC spokesperson, Adrienne Watson, had denied reports that the US had \u201crebuffed\u201d Canada over the matter.<\/p>\n Australia had expressed \u201cdeep concern\u201d over Canada\u2019s accusations while Britain said it was in close touch with its Canadian partners about the \u201cserious allegations\u201d.<\/p>\n \u2018Not some special exemption\u2019 for India, US says<\/h2>\n