Justin Trudeau Government Denies Allegations Linking PM Modi, Jaishankar, and Doval to Canadian Criminal Activities
The Justin Trudeau administration on Friday refuted claims associating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval with criminal activities in Canada.
Nathalie G. Drouin, the National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister, clarified that the Canadian government has not made any statements nor has it found evidence linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to any serious criminal activities in Canada.
She further stressed that any claims to the contrary are “speculative and inaccurate.”
On October 14, Canadian authorities, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), explained that their unusual public accusation of criminal activities in Canada involving Indian government agents was due to a “significant and ongoing threat to public safety.”
This denial follows India’s strong reaction to a Globe and Mail article published on November 20. The report sought to connect PM Modi, Jaishankar, and Doval to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an NIA-designated terrorist.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed the report as “ludicrous” and labeled it a “smear campaign” that would further harm India-Canada relations.
“We typically avoid commenting on media reports. However, such absurd claims, reportedly made by a Canadian government source, deserve to be rejected outright. Smear campaigns like these only worsen our already strained ties,” remarked MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiwal.
Strained Relations Between India and Canada
Relations between India and Canada have deteriorated sharply, with India repeatedly raising concerns about extremist activities and anti-India rhetoric thriving in Canada. Indian authorities have urged Canada to address these issues seriously.
Earlier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged “credible evidence” of India’s involvement in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2022.
India has categorically denied the accusations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated,” and criticized Canada for providing a platform for extremist and anti-India activities.
In response to escalating tensions, India recalled six diplomats from Canada after they were declared “persons of interest” by Canadian authorities investigating Nijjar’s killing.
Nijjar, designated as a terrorist under India’s NIA, played a prominent role in anti-India activities prior to his death. His assassination has become a major flashpoint, further straining ties between the two nations.
