Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The Foreign Affairs minister has clarified comments he gave to Indian media regarding the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada.
Canadian security agencies are investigating whether the Indian government has links to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver last year.
Nijjar was a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen, who India had labelled as a terrorist.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the allegations of a potential link were "credible".
While in India on a foreign affairs visit, Peters gave an interview with the Indian Express, which asked him whether Canada - one of New Zealand's Five Eyes partners - had shared information with New Zealand on the case.
"Well, I wasn't here, it was handled by the previous government," Peters said.
"But look, sometimes when you're hearing Five Eyes information, you're hearing it and saying nothing. It is coming past you. You don't know the value or the quality of it, but you're pleased to have it.
"You don't know whether there is going to be substantial material value or nothing. But the very, very critical information that matters… this was mainly handled by the previous government.
"As a trained lawyer I look, okay, so where's the case? Where's the evidence? Where's the finding right here, right now? Well, there isn't one."
Indian media has now framed it as Peters "questioning" a lack of evidence.
But a spokesperson for Peters said New Zealand's position on Canada's allegations remained unchanged, and if proven correct it would be of serious concern.
"The minister's point is that this is an ongoing criminal investigation. It needs to run its course before clear conclusions can be drawn," the spokesperson said.
The prime minister reiterated New Zealand's position was unchanged.
"I think the minister was trying to articulate there is a criminal investigation ongoing, and we need to let that run its course before everyone jumps to conclusions, and I think that's the right approach," Christopher Luxon said.
Luxon is due to visit India with a trade delegation later this year, as part of his government's efforts to lock in a free trade deal within three years.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Peters should have tread with more care, as it could create significant ripples internationally that were not in New Zealand's best interests.
"This is one of the most controversial issues facing the relationship between Canada and India, and therefore by extension some of the other countries who are involved in some of those security arrangements."
