Amid strained diplomatic relations, the Canadian government has firmly rejected claims linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi or senior Indian officials to the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The clarification comes after a Canadian newspaper, citing an unnamed national security official, alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah orchestrated Nijjar’s murder and that PM Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were informed of the plan. However, the report admitted that no direct evidence supports these allegations against Modi or other Indian leaders.
In a statement issued Friday, the Canadian government emphasized that it has no evidence connecting PM Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to any criminal activity within Canada. “The government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking these individuals to serious criminal activity in Canada,” the statement read. “Any suggestion to the contrary is speculative and inaccurate.”
The statement further noted that on October 14, due to an ongoing threat to public safety, Canadian authorities, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), made public accusations of criminal activities on Canadian soil allegedly perpetrated by Indian agents.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly criticized the media report, calling it “ludicrous” and detrimental to already tense bilateral relations. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the allegations, stating, “Such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. Smear campaigns like this only further damage our strained ties.”
India has consistently denied involvement in Nijjar’s murder, describing the accusations as “absurd” and politically motivated. It has also accused Canada of providing sanctuary to pro-Khalistan extremist groups.
Critics have pointed to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s alleged appeasement of pro-Khalistan factions within Canada as a key factor behind deteriorating ties with India. Trudeau’s government has often been accused of turning a blind eye to the activities of extremist groups that openly advocate for the secession of Punjab from India. This leniency has strained diplomatic relations, with India repeatedly urging Canada to address concerns about its soil being used as a safe haven for anti-India elements. Analysts argue that Trudeau’s perceived support for these groups has emboldened their activities, further complicating bilateral ties.
Diplomatic tensions have escalated since June 2023, when Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Canadian authorities later charged four Indian nationals in connection with the killing. Last month, ties worsened after the RCMP accused Indian government agents of criminal activities, including murder, extortion, and intimidation, on Canadian soil. Both countries responded by expelling senior envoys, further deepening the rift.