Khalistani Leader Killing: Canada Expels Indian Diplomat, India Rejects Allegation

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 19th Sept. India on Tuesday categorically dismissed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of a “potential link” between Indian government agents and the murder of a Khalistani leader as “baseless.”

Following Trudeau’s remarks in Parliament, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced the expulsion of a “top Indian diplomat” from Canada.

Trudeau alleged in a message to the Canadian Parliament that there were “credible allegations of a potential link” between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

On June 18, Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, by two unidentified gunmen. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded strongly, calling the charges of the Indian government’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada “absurd and motivated.”

“Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected,” it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trudeau had a bilateral meeting on September 10 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi.

“We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law,” the MEA said.

“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,” it said.

“The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern,” the MEA said.

It said 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,” the MEA said.

“We reject any attempts to connect the Government of India to such developments,” it said.

“We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil,” it added.

In his meeting with Trudeau on September 10, Modi expressed India’s deep concern about extremist forces in Canada encouraging secessionism, inciting violence against Indian diplomats, and endangering the Indian community there.