Calling the Trudeau regime’s move “preposterous”, the external affairs ministry categorically rejected Canada’s move to designate the Indian high commissioner to Canada and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in connection with a probe into the murder of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India called the Trudeau regime’s move a “deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains”. In a statement, the MEA, acknowledging the communication received from Canada said, “The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centred around vote bank politics.”
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The ministry also came down heavily at the Canadian prime minister and said despite repeated requests, Canada has not shared any evidence with India in connection with the probe into Nijjar's killing. “Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side. This latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts.”
Calling Canada’s attempts a “deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains”, the ministry said Trudeau’s hostility towards India is well known. India charged Trudeau’s visit to India in 2018 was “aimed at currying favour with a vote bank”.
Alleging Trudeau regime has been soft towards pro-Khalistan and anti-India voices, MEA charged, “ Trudeau Government has consciously provided space to violent extremists and terrorists to harass, threaten and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada. This has included death threats to them and to Indian leaders. All these activities have been justified in the name of freedom of speech.”
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MEA said Canada turned down several extradition requests from India and Canada fast-tracked citizenship for individuals who illegally entered that country. Backing Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, MEA said he is India’s senior most serving diplomat and aspersions cast on him by Canada are “ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt”. “India now reserves the right to take further steps in response to these latest efforts of the Canadian Government to concoct allegations against Indian diplomats,” it added.
Last year, following a rift in India-Canada relations over the Nijjar killing, Canada had to withdraw over 40 diplomats from India after the Centre removed immunity for them. India too withdrew diplomats from Canada.