India denies Canadian accusation regarding the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, calling it absurd and baseless.

New Delhi: The Indian government has firmly rejected allegations made by the Canadian government linking it to the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In a statement, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) called the allegations ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’. The government stated that these allegations were aimed at diverting attention from Khalistani terrorists and extremists who are given shelter in Canada.

Nijjar, a strong supporter of an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan, was gunned down on June 18 outside a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia.

The Indian government emphasized that they had already rejected these allegations when raised by the Canadian Prime Minister during discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent G20 summit. The government stated, “Allegations of the government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated. Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected.”

India, as a democratic nation committed to the rule of law, expressed deep concern about the Canadian government’s lack of action in addressing this issue, particularly regarding the shelter provided to these individuals. The official statement stated, “We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the 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.”

The Indian government urged the Canadian government to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil. The statement also highlighted the open expression of sympathy by Canadian political figures for such elements, which remains a matter of deep concern. The statement added, “We reject any attempts to connect the government of India to such developments.”

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The reaction comes after Canada announced that it was actively pursuing credible allegations linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader, further straining diplomatic ties between the two countries. Additionally, Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat as it investigated allegations of India’s government involvement in the assassination.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen “an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.” Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated “terrorist” by India, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple on June 18 in Surrey.

In conclusion, India vehemently denies the allegations made by the Canadian government and expresses deep concern about the lack of action taken by Canada in addressing the issue. The Indian government urges Canada to take legal action against anti-India elements operating from its soil. This incident has further strained diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Source: Times of India