On Tuesday, India dismissed Ottawa’s accusation that it was complicit in the alleged murder of a Canadian citizen, calling the claims “absurd” and removing a top envoy.
On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that serious allegations link the Indian government to the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a statement, the Indian Foreign Ministry claimed suggestions that the Indian government was involved in any act of violence in Canada were “absurd and motivated.”
“Unsubstantiated allegations seek to divert attention away from Khalistani terrorists and extremists who have sought refuge in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement added.
It was a reference to the Sikh political ideology that advocated for the establishment of an autonomous Sikh country known as Khalistan.
The ministry also stated that Canada’s inaction has been a long-standing and ongoing source of concern.
“We urge the government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil,’’ the statement concluded.
It said that shortly after, the Indian Foreign Ministry issued another statement, saying that a senior Canadian diplomat was asked to leave India within “the next five days.
“The decision reflects government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities,’’ the statement said.
Trudeau had told the Canadian parliament that security agencies had been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of Nijjar.
Nijjar, a well-known advocate for an independent Sikh state on Indian territory, was shot dead in June outside a Sikh cultural centre in the Canadian town of Surrey.
Ottawa had expressed deep concern to top intelligence and security circles of the Indian government, Trudeau said.
He had also directly addressed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident at the recent G20 summit.
NAN