Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that he chose to reveal the possible link between the Indian government and the killing of a Canadian "to calm" India amid concerns in the Sikh community about safety.

In September, Trudeau informed the House of Commons that there was reliable intelligence linking India to the shooting death of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in a parking lot at a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

Trudeau added in a year-end interview with the Canadian press, "The bleak message he publicly delivered that day was intended to provide an 'additional level of deterrence' to keep Canadians safe."

The Indian government continued to deny any connection to the murder, while Trudeau says the Sikh community in British Columbia was concerned about what might happen next, and that his public statement came after "quiet diplomacy" that involved raising the allegations with India at the highest levels.

He pointed out that he also expected the information to be released in the media, and wanted Canadians to hear from him directly that the government was on top of the situation.