In a significant development amidst strained India-Canada relations, Canada has officially denied allegations reported by The Globe and Mail that sought to link the death of National Investigation Agency (NIA)-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.
The clarification came from Nathalie G. Drouin, Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister. In a statement issued by the Privy Council Office, Drouin stated:
“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.”
However, the statement unequivocally refuted claims linking the Indian leadership to the case, adding:
“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.”
India Refutes Allegations
On November 20, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly dismissed the report, terming it a “smear campaign.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiwal said:
“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.”
India expressed frustration over what it perceives as an enabling environment for anti-India elements and violent extremism in Canada, repeatedly urging Canadian authorities to take firm action against such activities.
Context of the allegations
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier claimed “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in the June 2022 killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Nijjar, a key figure in the Khalistani movement, was labelled a terrorist by India and was under investigation by the NIA for his involvement in multiple terror-related activities.
India has categorically denied these allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.” The Indian government accused Canada of harbouring extremist elements and fostering a culture of impunity for individuals involved in anti-India propaganda.
Diplomatic fallout
The allegations have led to a significant deterioration in bilateral relations between the two countries. India recalled six diplomats from Canada after they were designated “persons of interest” by Canadian authorities in connection with Nijjar’s death.
In response, India issued a sharp rebuttal, pointing to Canada’s failure to address long-standing concerns over extremism. The MEA stated that attempts to malign Indian leadership through speculative claims in the media could only worsen the diplomatic impasse.
Strained ties
India’s concerns over extremist activities in Canada have been a recurring theme in bilateral discussions. Over the years, New Delhi has raised alarms about the influence of pro-Khalistan groups operating from Canadian soil. These groups, India claims, have been emboldened by a lack of action from Canadian authorities and are responsible for inciting violence and promoting secessionist ideologies.
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Despite multiple warnings, the Canadian government has been accused of turning a blind eye to these activities under the pretext of protecting free speech. For India, Nijjar’s killing and the subsequent allegations appear to be the latest flashpoint in an already volatile relationship.
Outlook
The denial from Canada’s Privy Council Office is expected to bring some clarity amidst the media frenzy surrounding Nijjar’s death. However, the underlying mistrust between the two nations remains palpable.
Efforts to rebuild trust and cooperation will require addressing the root causes of the discord, including Canada’s stance on extremism and India’s insistence on stronger action against anti-India elements. For now, diplomatic relations between India and Canada appear to be at an all-time low, with both sides exchanging sharp rhetoric and maintaining a hardline approach.
The global community will be watching closely as two major democracies navigate this contentious issue, with the hope that dialogue and mutual respect can eventually prevail over discord and allegations.
