Canada on Monday ordered an Indian diplomat leave the country as it investigates the killing of Khalistani activist who was shot in British Columbia in June.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that an investigation into “credible allegations” that Indian state actors could be behind the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar was ongoing.
Ottowa’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said: “If proven true this would be a great violation of our sovereignty and of the most basic rule of how countries deal with each other.”
In a statement on Tuesday morning, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it rejected the allegations made by Canada’s prime minister and foreign minister. “Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated,” the statement said.
The statement also confirmed Trudeau’s claim that he had brought up this allegation with Modi. “Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected,” MEA’s statement said.
India also alleged that Canada had sympathised with Khalistani terrorists and was trying to deflect from the real issue with these allegations. “Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern,” the statement reads. “That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern.”
India’s statement did not refer to Rai’s expulsion.
