Justin Trudeau's allegation on India has no impact on 'army to army' relations: Canada's deputy Army chief

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation of the Indian government’s link in a Khalistani terrorist’s killing has no bearing on the ‘army to army’ relationship between both countries, Canada’s Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott said Tuesday.

“I am fully aware of, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement. The government’s stance and the government request for India to participate in, and cooperate in the investigation. But, really, that has no impact on us here at the Indo-Pacific conference. We’re really here to build relationships from army to army, and we’ll let our governments deal with that issue, themselves,” Major General Peter Scott said while attending the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPAC), 2023.

#WATCH | Delhi: Canada’s Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott says, “We’re very grateful to be here as part of the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPAC), 2023. Canada continues to look for opportunities where we can participate in training or exercises with partners… pic.twitter.com/QCVwXEIMgB

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2023

India is hosting the conclave of Army chiefs from the Indo-Pacific region in Delhi. The meeting will be attended by 15 Army chiefs and delegations from 22 countries

The Canadian General thanked India for hosting the conference which seeks to strengthen the military relationship in the region and address common challenges.

“We’re very grateful to be here as part of the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPAC), 2023. Canada continues to look for opportunities where we can participate in training or exercises with partners in the end of the Pacific region. And this conference provides us a forum to meet with other leaders of other nations of similar interests. We’re very happy to be here and very gracious for India to be hosting…”

Last Monday Trudeau, while speaking in the Canadian Parliament, alleged that the Indian government was behind the killing of Nijjar.

India dismissed the allegation as “absurd”.

Nijjar was wanted in India under India’s Terrorist Act for several cases, including a 2007 bomb blast at a movie theatre in Punjab, which killed six people and injured 40 others, and the 2009 assassination of a Sikh BJP leader, Rulda Singh.