India denies Canadian media claims linking Nijjar’s killing to govt
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New Delhi: India has categorically rejected recent reports in Canadian media alleging involvement in the killing of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the claims as baseless and accused such reports of worsening already strained ties between the two nations.
The MEA refuted allegations made in a report by the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail, which suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of an alleged plot to assassinate Nijjar. The report also claimed that Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar were in the loop regarding the plan.
The MEA stated that it does not typically comment on media reports but added that the allegations, attributed to a Canadian government source, should be disregarded as ludicrous. According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, such smear campaigns only serve further to damage the already strained relations between India and Canada.
India-Canada ties have seen a marked deterioration, with New Delhi expressing repeated concerns over extremism and anti-India activities in Canada. The Indian government has called on Canadian authorities to take decisive action against such activities.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has previously alleged the existence of "credible evidence" suggesting Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. India, however, has firmly denied the allegations, describing them as absurd and motivated, while accusing Canada of providing a safe haven for extremist and anti-India elements.
Earlier this month, India recalled six diplomats from Canada after Canadian authorities declared them "persons of interest" in the Nijjar case. In a reciprocal move, India expelled Canadian Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats following Canada’s allegations.
The diplomatic standoff escalated after Canada linked Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and several other Indian diplomats to the murder investigation. India rejected these allegations and reiterated its concerns about Canada’s tolerance of extremist elements.
The Nijjar case remains central to the growing rift between the two nations, with India continuing to refute the allegations and calling for action against anti-India activities in Canada.
With IANS inputs