In response to the recent expulsion of a top Indian diplomat by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on allegations related to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a figure associated with Khalistani terrorism, India has vehemently denied the accusations. Arindam Bagchi, the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, issued a statement condemning Canada's claims as baseless and driven by ulterior motives.
India's official statement categorically rejected the allegations made by Canada:
"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.
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."
India rejects allegations by Canada:https://t.co/KDzCczWNN2 pic.twitter.com/VSDxbefWLw
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 19, 2023
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the individual in question, had been heading the Khalistani Tiger Force and the Canadian arm of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). He was fatally shot by unidentified assailants near a gurdwara in Surrey back in June. Nijjar had been wanted in India for his alleged role as the "mastermind" behind the Khalistani Tiger Force, a designated terrorist organization in India. The situation surrounding his death has sparked a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, with India firmly denying any involvement in the incident and calling for action against those who threaten its security from Canadian soil.
