India Blasts Canada, Rejects Involvement In Killing Of Khalistani Terrorist

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar

NEW DELHI, (IANS) – India on September 19 rejected claims by the Canadian government that it was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Terming it as “absurd and motivated” the external affairs ministry in a statement said, “We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated.”

While no mention had been made of this before, it admitted that at the G20 meeting, “Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister,” adding it was “completely rejected.” “We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law,” the ministry said further.

“We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil,” the strongly worded statement added. It went on to add, “The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern”.

The Indian external affairs ministry further said, “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 external affairs ministry statement further said, “That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern. The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking, and organized crime is not new. We reject any attempts to connect the Government of India to such developments”.

Amid deteriorating diplomatic relations New Delhi on September 18 in a tit-for-tat also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat based here

The High Commissioner of Canada to India, Cameron Mackay received a summons on September 19 during which the Government of India conveyed its decision to expel a senior Canadian diplomat currently stationed in the country.

“The decision reflects the Government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities,” the statement said.