HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Diya TV) — The United States and Canada are working closely together at every level in response to the assassination of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, U.S. National Security Adviser (NSA) Jake Sullivan said Monday. Sullivan, who was attending a Canadian Cabinet retreat in Halifax, underscored the commitment of both nations to take a firm stance against attempted or actualized assassinations on their soil.
“We have good cooperation and coordination on these issues,” Sullivan told reporters. “We take a very firm line on the question of attempted and actualized assassinations in our two countries. It is our joint commitment, along with other allies, to stand firmly against that.”
Nijjar, a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement, was killed on June 18, 2023, in Surrey, British Columbia. Three months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in the House of Commons that there were “credible allegations” suggesting potential involvement by Indian agents in the killing. This assertion led to diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, with the latter dismissing the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Trudeau’s claims have since fueled a broader investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Currently, four Indian nationals are in custody in connection with Nijjar’s murder, though investigators have yet to substantiate the alleged Indian government link. Authorities have maintained that this angle remains under active investigation.
The case has been further complicated by a separate incident revealed in November, when an indictment in a U.S. federal court exposed an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Pannun, a close associate of Nijjar and general counsel for the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The indictment alleged that an Indian official directed gangster Nikhil Gupta to facilitate Pannun’s killing, a plot that unraveled when Gupta unwittingly contacted an undercover U.S. operative. Gupta was later arrested in the Czech Republic and extradited to the U.S., where he awaits trial.
Sullivan, reflecting on these developments, confirmed that the U.S. had also faced an assassination attempt, emphasizing the shared resolve between Washington and Ottawa. “It was a tragedy what happened in Canada,” he said, referring to Nijjar’s killing.
Sullivan’s visit to Halifax included meetings with Prime Minister Trudeau and other Canadian Cabinet ministers. The discussions ranged from national security concerns to bilateral issues like climate change, artificial intelligence, and trade policies. Sullivan highlighted the significance of U.S.-Canada collaboration on these topics, stating, “We are dealing with immense changes in technology, the clean energy transition, geopolitics, and issues that matter to ordinary citizens in both countries.”
While in Halifax, Sullivan also noted Canada’s progress toward NATO’s defense spending target of 2% of GDP, describing it as “a historic step for Canada.” He stressed that no specific demands were made of Trudeau during his visit, instead calling it “a mark of the seriousness with which we take our partnership.”
Amid discussions on trade, Sullivan addressed the issue of overcapacity in China’s electric vehicle industry, a topic he plans to raise during an upcoming visit to Beijing. With the U.S. set to impose higher tariffs on Chinese imports, Sullivan suggested a coordinated response among Western allies, stating, “A united front benefits all of us.” However, he acknowledged that Canada would ultimately determine its own trade policy, as Ottawa weighs its approach to the situation.
Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman, who has been active in bolstering U.S.-Canada relations, continues to emphasize the importance of the trading relationship, valued at $2.7 billion daily. Sullivan’s remarks in Halifax reaffirm the commitment of both nations to maintaining strong bilateral ties despite ongoing challenges.
