India Rejects Canada’s Allegations on Nijjar Murder Plot, Describes It as “Absurd”
New Delhi: Amid ongoing tensions between India and Canada, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned a Canadian report that claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of a plot to kill Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, calling it a “smear campaign.”
The Globe and Mail, citing unnamed Canadian officials, alleged that Mr. Modi had knowledge of the plan to assassinate the Khalistani activist. The report further suggested that India’s national security advisor and external affairs minister were also informed about the plot.
In his response, Mr. Jaiswal stated, “Such baseless claims, supposedly made by a Canadian government source, should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. Smear tactics like these only exacerbate our already fragile relations.”
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist and Canadian citizen, was killed in Vancouver in June of the previous year, which triggered a diplomatic crisis after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused “agents” from Delhi of being involved. He claimed that “credible information” had been shared with intelligence partners, including the United States.
In a subsequent move, Canada linked Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other diplomats to the murder, leading to the expulsion of the Indian diplomats. In retaliation, New Delhi expelled Canadian Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats.
Mr. Trudeau remarked, “It is clear that the Government of India made a grave error in thinking they could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canadians on Canadian soil. Such acts—whether murders, extortion, or other violent crimes—are absolutely unacceptable.”
Nijjar, the leader of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force, was on India’s ‘most wanted’ list for various crimes, including the murder of a Hindu priest in Punjab. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a Rs 10 lakh reward for information leading to his capture.
