NEW DELHI: India on Thursday responded firmly to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s current admission that his authorities had no “laborious proof” when it accused India of involvement within the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The ministry of exterior affairs (MEA) mentioned that Trudeau‘s testimony earlier than a public inquiry solely confirms what New Delhi has been saying from the beginning—that Canada has offered no proof to help the intense allegations made in opposition to India.
Trudeau, testifying earlier than a overseas interference inquiry, acknowledged that his authorities initially accused India based mostly on intelligence, relatively than concrete proof, in reference to Nijjar’s assassination final yr. Trudeau mentioned intelligence from Canada and its allies steered Indian brokers had been concerned, however admitted there was no laborious proof on the time. He mentioned, “We informed India it isn’t laborious proof however simply intelligence at that time.”
“Behind the scenes (had been attempting) India to co-operate with us. Their ask was…give us the proof you’ve got on us. Our response was it’s inside your safety company. You have to be wanting into how a lot they know, you have to be participating. ‘No, no however present us the proof’. At that time, it was primarily intelligence, not laborious evidentiary proof. So we mentioned let’s work collectively,” Canadian PM mentioned.
India swiftly rejected Trudeau’s statements, with MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal saying, “What we’ve heard at present solely confirms what we’ve been saying persistently all alongside—Canada has introduced us no proof in any respect in help of the intense allegations it has levelled in opposition to India and Indian diplomats.” Jaiswal went on to say that the injury induced to India-Canada relations is fully Trudeau’s accountability.
“The accountability for the injury that this cavalier behaviour has induced to India-Canada relations lies with Prime Minister Trudeau alone,” he mentioned in his assertion.
The diplomatic row between India and Canada erupted when Trudeau accused India of orchestrating Nijjar’s killing in British Columbia in June final yr. India labelled the claims as “absurd” and a part of a broader political transfer by Trudeau.
Tensions escalated when Canada recognized India’s Excessive Commissioner and different diplomats as “individuals of curiosity” within the Nijjar investigation. In response, India expelled six Canadian diplomats after summoning Cost d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler. The Indian authorities condemned Canada’s “baseless concentrating on” as unacceptable and expressed considerations in regards to the security of its diplomats amid rising extremism. India additionally introduced the withdrawal of Excessive Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, asserting its proper to take additional motion in opposition to what it perceives as Canadian help for extremism.
Canada’s preliminary accusation, made with out clear proof, had strained an already delicate relationship, particularly over the difficulty of Canada permitting pro-Khalistani actions on its soil. India has persistently criticised Canada for offering area for such components, accusing them of working with impunity.
