Ottawa: The Canadian government has denied having any evidence linking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to acts of violence on Canadian soil, despite heightened tensions between the two nations over allegations of Indian involvement in the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Canada previously expelled six Indian diplomats, accusing them of being involved in a plot targeting Sikh separatists. Last month, the Canadian foreign ministry alleged that Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister and considered the second most powerful figure in Modi’s government, orchestrated a campaign of intimidation in Canada.
Allegations Against Indian Officials
Reports from The Globe and Mail suggested that Canadian security agencies believed Modi, along with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, were aware of violent plots targeting Sikh activists. However, Ottawa has publicly dismissed these claims.
Nathalie Drouin, intelligence adviser to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, issued a statement on Thursday categorically denying the allegations.
“The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate,” Drouin said.
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Nijjar’s Killing Sparks Diplomatic Row
Four Indian nationals have been charged in connection with Nijjar’s murder, a case that has exacerbated already strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi. India has strongly denied allegations that its agents were involved in the violence, dismissing them as baseless.
Nijjar, a prominent advocate for a separate Sikh state of Khalistan, was killed in June 2023. His death has ignited protests among Canada’s large Sikh diaspora, the largest outside India’s Punjab state. The demonstrations in favor of Khalistan have been a source of contention for India, which views the separatist movement as a serious security threat.
Broader Implications
India has labeled Sikh separatists as “terrorists” and criticized Canada for allowing anti-India demonstrations on its soil. The ongoing tension has raised concerns about the future of diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries.
