The United Kingdom has called on India to cooperate with Canada’s legal process as diplomatic tensions between the two countries escalate. On Wednesday, the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office issued a statement supporting Canada’s judiciary and encouraging New Delhi to take the “next right step.”
The UK expressed its confidence in Canada’s legal system and urged India to respect the rule of law, following allegations linking Indian officials to the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. The statement emphasized the importance of India’s cooperation in resolving the issue.
This comes in the wake of Canada’s expulsion of six Indian diplomats, accusing them of involvement in a campaign against Indian dissidents in Canada, an allegation that India has denied. In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, further straining relations.
The UK’s call for cooperation followed a conversation between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Both leaders discussed the safety of their citizens and the need for continued respect for the rule of law. Trudeau reiterated Canada’s interest in collaborating with India to address the situation.
The diplomatic rift continues to unfold as international attention grows on the case.