Overview
- In a CBC interview, High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik rejected allegations tying Indian officials to Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing and repeatedly asked Canada to present evidence.
- He said Ottawa has failed to curb Khalistani extremism over decades and cited the still-unresolved 1985 Air India bombing as a symbol of inaction.
- Canada’s intelligence service has acknowledged that Khalistani extremists operate from within the country, including fundraising and plans for violence in India.
- Patnaik criticized what he called a double standard on proof and noted the ongoing Surrey case concerns four individuals rather than the Indian state.
- His remarks come as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government signals interest in resetting relations with India alongside renewed trade outreach.