Speculative And Inaccurate: Canada Dismisses Claims Of PM Modi's Involvement In Nijjar Murder Plot

The Canadian government dismissed the claims that Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were aware of an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In a statement, Canada's Privy Council, signed by National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie G. Drouin, described the allegations as "speculative and inaccurate." The statement clarified that the Canadian government has not linked the Indian leaders to the alleged criminal activity and is unaware of any evidence suggesting their involvement.

The statement read: "On October 14th, because of a significant and ongoing threat to public safety, the RCMP and officials took the extraordinary step of making public accusations of serious criminal activity in Canada perpetrated by agents of the Government of India.

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."

In response to the report in the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail, citing an unnamed official, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such "ludicrous statements" should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve.

India on Wednesday strongly trashed as "smear campaign" a Canadian media report that claimed that the Indian prime minister was aware of the alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Responding to a report in The Globe and Mail quoting an unnamed official, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal refuted the claims as a "smear campaign." He urged the media and public to treat such "ludicrous statements" with the contempt they deserve.

However, India has categorically denied all allegations by Canada regarding Nijjar's murder. Relations between the two nations have deteriorated significantly since Ottawa accused Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, of involvement in the case.

Following these allegations, India recalled its high commissioner from Canada, while Ottawa expelled several Indian diplomats. In retaliation, New Delhi expelled Canadian Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other Canadian diplomats.