Cavalier Behaviour: MEA After Trudeau's Canada 'Had Intel, No Proof' Against India Over Nijjar's Killing

After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a Commission of Inquiry, reiterating allegations against India without providing concrete evidence, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India responded, stating that Ottawa has yet to present any proof supporting its serious accusations against India and its diplomats.

Trudeau admitted on Wednesday that his claims about Indian government agents' involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year were based on intelligence rather than hard evidence.

The MEA issued a statement early Thursday addressing media inquiries about Trudeau's testimony, which had been reported by various outlets. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "What we have heard today only confirms what we have been saying consistently all along -- Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats." The ministry also emphasized that the responsibility for the damage to India-Canada relations lies solely with Prime Minister Trudeau.

Allegations and Diplomatic Tensions

During his testimony, Trudeau claimed that Indian diplomats were gathering information on Canadians opposing the Narendra Modi government and sharing it with high-level officials and criminal groups like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. India firmly denied these allegations, with official sources in New Delhi stating that Canada's claim of sharing evidence with India regarding Nijjar's case was untrue. Additionally, sources dismissed previous accusations by Trudeau of covert operations targeting Canadian nationals.

The diplomatic row between India and Canada intensified when India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its high commissioner from Canada. This action followed Ottawa's allegations linking India's envoy to an investigation into Nijjar's killing. The tensions mark a significant downturn in already strained relations between the two nations.

Background of Strained Relations

The relationship between India and Canada has been under strain since September last year when Trudeau alleged a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing. New Delhi rejected these charges as "absurd," maintaining that the core issue is Canada's tolerance of pro-Khalistan elements operating freely from its soil. Nijjar, declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 last year.

India has consistently maintained that Canada's actions have exacerbated tensions between the two countries. The MEA reiterated that Canada's lack of evidence and continued allegations are damaging bilateral relations. As both nations navigate this diplomatic crisis, the focus remains on resolving underlying issues related to pro-Khalistan activities in Canada.