India Rejects Allegations by Canada on Role in Nijjar’s Killing in Canada

On Tuesday, Canada and India saw an increase in hostilities as Canada accused New Delhi of potential involvement in the murder of a Sikh activist within Canada’s borders. In response, both countries removed high-ranking diplomats, while India dismissed the accusation as “absurd.”

The Indian foreign ministry dismissed the Canadian allegations regarding Nijjar’s killing as “absurd and motivated.”

“We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated,” read the statement.

The ministry said the allegations had also been rejected when Trudeau raised them with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hosted Trudeau and other world leaders in New Delhi this month at the annual summit of the Group of 20 economies.

Further, the statement stated, “Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law. Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern. That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern. The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new. We reject any attempts to connect Government of India to such developments. We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.”

During a brief meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Modi raised concerns with Trudeau over recent protests in Canada by pro-independence Sikhs.

Parvasi Media Group