"US, India, and Canada Address Khalistani Extremism and Nijjar Killing"
The United States and Canada have toned down their accusations against India regarding the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as India expresses its concerns about the "operating space" given to violent militants due to domestic political pressures. During talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar presented India's perspective on the matter, while also expressing India's ire at the permissive approach of the US and Canada towards Khalistani extremists. Despite the controversy, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized the importance of building closer ties with India, while seeking full facts on the matter. The issue did not feature prominently in the meeting between Blinken and Jaishankar, although Jaishankar acknowledged that it was discussed.