Britain calls on India to cooperate with Canada in row over Sikh killing

Britain joined its Five Eyes intelligence partners yesterday in saying India's cooperation with Canada's legal process was "the right next step" in the deepening diplomatic row between the two countries, adding that it had full confidence in Canada's judicial system.

- Patrick Wintour

Canadian police said on Monday they had credible evidence that Indian agents including India's high commissioner to Canada were linked to the murder of the Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023 and accused Delhi of a broader effort to target Indian dissidents in Canada.

India has rejected the accusations, and retaliated by ordering the expulsion of six high-ranking Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner.

The British Foreign Office said: "We are in contact with our Canadian partners about the serious developments outlined in the independent investigations in Canada. The UK has full confidence in Canada's judicial system. The government of India's cooperation with Canada's legal process is the right next step."