Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has responded to remarks made by India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, regarding the recent arrests of three individuals allegedly linked to the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar criticized Canada for permitting individuals with connections to organized crime to immigrate to the country, but Miller disputed this characterization.
In an interview with Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), Miller asserted, "We are not lax. The Indian foreign minister is entitled to his opinion. I'm going to let him speak his mind. It's just not accurate." He emphasized that Canada takes immigration matters seriously and refuted the notion that the country is lenient in its immigration policies.
Regarding the visa status of the accused individuals, Miller declined to provide specific details due to the ongoing police investigation. He directed inquiries about this matter to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The arrests of the three Indian nationals in Canada are related to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023. The individuals charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in connection with this incident are set to appear in Surrey provincial court on Tuesday. Their chances of being released on bail may be influenced by factors such as flight risk and risk to public safety, according to legal experts.
If found guilty of first-degree murder, the individuals could face a minimum of 25 years in prison without parole eligibility. Additionally, if they are foreign nationals or permanent residents, they may face deportation hearings by the Canada Border Services Agency following their release.
