‘Ludicrous’: India Reacts To New Canadian Media Report On Nijjar Killing Amid Diplomatic Row – News18

Last Updated:November 20, 2024, 23:54 IST

The report came as diplomatic tensions between India and Canada remain strained over Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.

India on Wednesday rejected a Canadian media report making “ludicrous” allegations in the Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death, which is at the centre of a diplomatic row between the two countries.

While the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its statement, did not name the media outlet that carried the report, The Globe and Mail recently claimed in a report that “Canadian security agencies believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India knew about Nijjar’s killing”, citing Canadian security agencies.

Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were all informed about it, the report said, quoting a senior national-security official, who it did not name. While Canada does not have direct evidence that Modi was aware of the plot, the security source told The Globe and Mail that it would be “unthinkable that three senior political figures in India would not have discussed the targeted killings” with the Prime Minister before proceeding.

“We do not normally comment on media reports. However, 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 already strained ties.,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

India-Canada Tensions

The report came amid deteriorating relations between India and Canada over last year’s assassination of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, for which Ottawa alleged Indian involvement. India has rejected the allegations, calling them “preposterous”, and accused Trudeau of harbouring Khalistanis who are not only plotting against India but also attacking Hindus on Canadian soil.

Despite multiple Indian requests for evidence, Canada has failed to provide any proof of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s death but has continued to make allegations against New Delhi. India’s extradition requests to Canada to return individuals wanted for terrorism, murder and human trafficking have also fallen to deaf ears.

Of late, there has been an increase in incidents involving attacks on Hindu devotees in Canada’s temples, and a recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton prompted a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has condemned the “deliberate attack”.

Indian intelligence and government agencies, meanwhile, are of the view that Trudeau is backing Khalistani groups to ensure MP Jagmeet Singh’s support in next year’s election, giving the Liberal Party’s rapid decline in popularity as polls show it would lose badly to the opposition Conservative Party.