India's cooperation with Canada's legal process right next step, says Britain

The UK has backed its 'Five Eyes' ally Canada's claims against India's alleged involvement in promoting criminal activities on Canadian soil. In a statement, Britain said India's cooperation with Canada's legal process was "the right next step".

"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," the British government said in a statement.

"The Government of India's cooperation with Canada's legal process is the right next step," it added.

The 'Five Eyes' is an intelligence alliance comprising five countries: the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

This group focuses on monitoring global communications, cyber threats, terrorism, and other security issues, with an emphasis on collecting and exchanging intelligence to protect their mutual interests.

The US, New Zealand, and Australia have already released statements backing Canada's claims against India.

The ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada escalated on Monday after Ottawa alleged that Indian diplomats were working with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to target pro-Khalistan elements.

Canada also made Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other diplomats as 'persons of interest' linked to murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nihhar on Canadian soil.

The Ministry of External Affairs released a scathing statement, saying that Canada did not share a "shred of evidence of India's involvement in Nijjar's killing" despite repeated requests and accused Trudeau of doing vote bank politics and not doing enough to tackle separatist elements on Canadian soil.

The row escalated with New Delhi recalling its top envoy to Ottawa and expelling six Canadian diplomats from the country on late Monday evening.