India is ready to look into any specific and relevant information that Canada could share on the killing of ‘Khalistan’ supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar and take the matter forward in a logical way that is legally defensible in both countries, according to Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma.

“India is only asking for specific and relevant information so that we can help you. We can help the Canadian investigators to reach their conclusion to the extent that it will be viable for them to go for the legal action…I will urge my Canadian friends and colleagues. I can assure them that we will certainly look into them,” he said when asked about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s charge that Indian agents were behind the killing of Nijjar.

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In an interview with a Canadian TV journalist, the Indian envoy said that instead of differences, India-Canada relations should focus on convergence, as New Delhi is still open for promoting bilateral business ties.

He said there is an understanding of New Delhi’s concerns from the Canadian side but more action needs to be seen on the ground. “We have voiced our concerns on various occasions and not only today through our historical relationship which we have here. I believe that there is an understanding of our concern in the Canadian policy-making circles and decision-making circles. I have seen many statements coming from the Canadian leadership respecting Indian sovereignty and territorial integrity and I have no doubt about it,” Verma said.

He added, “We need to see more on the ground and through the dialogue. I am sure we’ll be able to see that convergence on the ground as well and we’ll see any semblance of use of Canadian soil by Canadian citizens to target and challenge Indian sovereignty”.

The Indian envoy further said that New Delhi and Ottawa have a long friendship but the two countries are seeing ‘divergence’ on this one issue. He further stressed that instead of focusing on divergence the two countries should focus on convergence and take them forward.

“Trade is an issue which is absolutely separate…it is convergent. Trade is something that brings us together, and I would suggest, that our friends, both in the Indo-Canadian community and wider Canadian community take the advantage of current economic growth, and innovative growth of India and do trade in a way that is beneficial to both of us,” the Indian envoy said.