New Zealand tells Canada position on pro-Khalistan figure Nijjar killing unchanged
Hindustan TimesThe Government of New Zealand has reached out to Ottawa to clarify that it’s position on the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar has not changed, after doubts arose following an interview with its Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters appeared in an Indian outlet on Wednesday. It quoted a spokesperson as saying, “New Zealand’s position on the allegations remains unchanged – if they are proven correct, then that would be of serious concern.” However, the statement also added, “The minister’s point is that this is an ongoing criminal investigation. It needs to run its course before clear conclusions can be drawn.” The daily also cited an unnamed Canadian official as saying that Wellington had reached out to the Canadian Government and clarified that Peters’ “comments were taken out of context and that the story doesn’t reflect its position.” In an interview published in the Indian Express, Peters said, “As a trained lawyer, I look okay, so where’s the case? The killing of Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist and the principal organiser for the secessionist Sikhs for Justice or SFJ in the province of British Columbia, threw bilateral relations between India and Canada into turmoil after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in the House of Commons on September 18 that there were “credible allegations” of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder.