Canada’s partners in the Five Eyes Anglosphere intelligence network, including the US, have rallied around Ottawa in its diplomatic standoff with New Delhi over India’s alleged hand in the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

All four partners of Canada in the Five Eyes — Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US — have over the past couple of days come out with statements backing Ottawa. The US and the UK have even urged India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation into Nijjar’s murder in British Columbia in June 2023.

Asked for a reaction to Canada expelling Indian diplomats alleging they are “persons of interest” in the Nijjar probe, US state department spokesman Mike Miller said: “The allegations are extremely serious, and they need to be taken seriously, and we wanted to see the Government of India cooperate with Canada in its investigation. Obviously, they have not chosen that path.”

While the US had made similar allegations against India after an Indian hand was alleged in the attempted murder of Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the Sikhs for Justice outfit in New York last year, New Delhi adopted a different approach by setting up an inquiry committee. The committee visited the US this week to discuss the case with the Americans.

A day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to his British counterpart Keith Starmer on the latest developments in the case that led to the expulsion of diplomats by both countries, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), or the British foreign ministry, issued a statement on what it described as “Canadian investigation linked to the Government of India”.

An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are in contact with our Canadian partners about the serious developments outlined in the independent investigations in Canada. The UK has full confidence in Canada’s judicial system. Respect for sovereignty and the rule of law is essential. The Government of India’s cooperation with Canada’s legal process is the right next step.”

The spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the media on Tuesday: “Australia has made clear our concerns about the allegations under investigation in Canada. Australia respects Canada’s judicial process. We have conveyed our concerns to India. Our position of principle is that the sovereignty of all countries should be respected and the rule of law should be respected.”

In New Zealand, foreign minister Winston Peters said his country had been briefed by Canada about the ongoing criminal investigations. He said: “The alleged criminal conduct outlined publicly by Canadian law enforcement authorities, if proven, would be very concerning.

“At the same time, we do not comment on the details of ongoing criminal investigations, in New Zealand or abroad, other than to note that it is important that the rule of law and judicial processes be respected and followed. New Zealand has a diverse population.... We expect all such communities to act, and be treated, lawfully and with respect.”