Carney Welcomes Judicial Process in Hardeep Singh Nijjar Case, Says Must Be ‘Careful’ with Commentary

Canadian PM Mark Carney urges caution around Hardeep Singh Nijjar case, stresses judicial process and law enforcement dialogue with India during G7 meeting with Modi.

Kananaskis, Canada — June 18, 2025 : Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged caution in public remarks surrounding the controversial death of pro‑Khalistani Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, saying that because a judicial process is underway, further commentary must be restrained.

During a press briefing at the G7 Summit, reporters asked Carney whether he had discussed Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders met on the summit sidelines earlier in the day.

“We have had a discussion … about the importance of law enforcement‑to‑law enforcement cooperation, including addressing transnational repression,” Carney said, before adding, “And obviously, there is a judicial process that’s underway and I need to be careful about further commentary.”

Reminder of Ongoing Investigation

Carney’s comments come amid an ongoing inquiry in Canada that is investigating allegations of foreign interference and the suspected role of Indian agents in Nijjar’s death last year in Surrey, British Columbia. Nijjar, who had been labeled a terrorist in India in 2020, was shot outside a gurdwara on June 18, 2023. Canada has described the incident as a possible act of “transnational repression.”

In September 2023, then‑Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of potential involvement in Nijjar’s killing—a claim New Delhi forcefully denied as “motivated.” The diplomatically fraught episode prompted mutual expulsions of diplomats: in October 2024, India recalled its high commissioner and expelled Canadian diplomats in response.

Steps Toward Diplomatic Repair

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mark Carney also used their meeting to signal a thaw in bilateral relations. According to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, both sides agreed to restore high commissioners to their capitals soon—a critical step in rebuilding trust.

Misri described the move as part of “calibrated steps” to restore stability in what he called an immensely important relationship.

⚠️ Why Carney’s Restraint Matters

Legal experts say Carney’s caution reflects:

1. The need to preserve judicial integrity and avoid influencing ongoing investigations.
2. Recognition that Canada’s public inquiry is collecting testimony under oath—a process that must remain impartial.
3. The importance of diplomatic balance with India, a key economic and strategic partner.

In his first summit as Prime Minister—succeeding Trudeau in March—Mark Carney, a former Bank of Canada governor, underscored multilateral cooperation while signaling a measured approach to sensitive bilateral issues.

Canada-India Ties at an Inflection Point

Affairs experts say the Nijjar investigation remains a potential flashpoint. A recent staff turnover saw diplomatic staff exchanges halted, and public opinion in both countries remains deeply divided.

Still, analysts acknowledge that the meeting at Kananaskis represents a step toward rebuilding essential channels of communication. Restoring high commissioners is widely seen as a gesture of long-term goodwill—with Carney choosing words carefully to avoid derailing progress.