Canada's recent accusation of India’s involvement in the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), has brought the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance into the spotlight. A probe into Nijjar's death by Canadian authorities has escalated into a diplomatic row after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India was involved.

For LIVE updates on the India-Canada rift, check here.

Meanwhile, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, has backed Canada’s claims against India, deeming the accusations serious.

However, Canada’s request for a joint denouncement of Nijjar's murder was met with reluctance by the Five Eyes alliance.

What is the Five Eyes intelligence alliance?

The Five Eyes alliance is an intelligence-sharing network comprising five prominent nations: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

This alliance traces its origins to a partnership established in 1946 between the United States and the United Kingdom, initially focused on sharing intelligence signals.

Over time, it expanded to include Canada in 1949 and later Australia and New Zealand in 1955. While these five countries are the core members, the alliance also collaborates with third-party partners who share information but do not hold formal partner status.

What is the function of the Five Eyes?

At its core, the Five Eyes alliance exists to pool resources and share intelligence among its member nations. As technology has evolved over the decades, so too has the means by which these countries gather and share information. While traditional methods like radio signals played a significant role in the past, currently, digital tracking and interception are integral to their operations.

A significant shift occurred in 2013, according to a report by CBC News, when whistleblower Edward Snowden's massive leak of intelligence documents from the US National Security Agency revealed that the Five Eyes nations were not only spying on foreign countries but also collecting and retaining data on their own citizens. This revelation sparked a global debate and raised concerns about the balance between national security and individual privacy.

In Canada, four key agencies are involved with the Five Eyes:

1. Communications Security Establishment (CSE)

2. The RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)

3. Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)

4. Canadian Forces Intelligence Command

What does Five Eyes have to say about the Nijjar case?

In response to Canada's recent accusations against India in the Nijjar case, the Five Eyes alliance members have issued statements reflecting different positions, according to reports. The White House National Security Council emphasized the importance of Canada's investigation and the pursuit of justice. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly expressed support for a Canadian inquiry.

Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong conveyed concern over the allegations and stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty of all nations while awaiting the results of ongoing investigations.