From Nijjar killing to NRC: How US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar interferes in India

Ilhan Omar is a controversial figure in the United States. The Congresswoman has a dubious record and often wades into trouble. She also has another habit – meddling in India’s affairs. She has gained notoriety for her anti-India antics and has angered New Delhi on more occasions than one. Now she has something to say about the India-Canada diplomatic row. No surprises for guessing what side she has picked (even when it’s none of her business).

We take a look at her latest remarks and how she has emerged as an anti-India voice in the US, often leaving her government red-faced.

The Nijjar killing

The Muslim-American Democrat has condemned the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, days after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said that the Indian government agents were involved. New Delhi labelled the allegations absurd as ties with Ottawa hit a new low. Amid this, Omar has decided to step in.

In a tweet on the X platform (formerly Twitter), the lawmaker appealed to the US federal government to support Canada’s probe into Nijjar’s death. “The allegations that Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Niijar was assassinated by the Indian government are deeply concerning. The US must fully support the Canadian investigation,” Omar said.

“We are also requesting a briefing on whether there are similar operations in the United States,” she added.

The allegations that Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Niijar was assassinated by the Indian government are deeply concerning. The US must fully support the Canadian investigation.

We are also requesting a briefing on whether there are similar operations in the United States.

— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) September 26, 2023

Omar’s remarks come ahead of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Thursday. Her support for Nijjar has angered India and Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has asked the external affairs ministry to immediately initiate an inquiry against the Congresswoman.

In a sharp response, Chaturvedi wrote, “Sit down Madam Representative. Such being the case, as an Indian Parliamentarian, I urge MEA India to start an enquiry into how an elected representative in the USA is interfering in the peace of Jammu & Kashmir via Pakistan-funded PoK visit.”

Sit down Madam Representative.
Such be the case, as an Indian Parliamentarian I urge @MEAIndia to start an enquiry into how an elected representative in USA is interfering in the peace of Jammu&Kashmir via Pakistan funded PoK visit. https://t.co/cYV08xt0sD

— Priyanka Chaturvedi