(New Delhi) India has officially strongly rejected the Canadian government’s accusations against its powerful interior minister, Amit Shah, of targeting independent Sikh activists in Canada.
Posted at 7:38 a.m.
Updated at 9:50 a.m.
According to New Delhi, these allegations are “absurd and baseless”.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last year that he suspected the Indian government was linked to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. 2023 in British Columbia. India had sharply rejected the accusations.
PHOTO ADNAN ABIDI, ARCHIVES REUTERS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah
India criticizes the Canadian government for not controlling the activities of Sikh separatists who wish to form their own country, Khalistan.
On October 14, Canada expelled the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, equivalent to the ambassador, and five other diplomats. Ottawa alleges that these diplomats are involved in multiple cases of coercion, intimidation and violence aimed at crushing a campaign in Canada for the creation of an independent Sikh state in India.
In retaliation, India in turn expelled six Canadian diplomats.
“The Government of India is protesting in the strongest possible terms against the absurd and baseless accusations leveled against the Home Minister,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Saturday.
He added that a Canadian diplomat had been summoned by the ministry on Friday. He was given a letter of protest against the allegations. “Such irresponsible actions can have serious repercussions on bilateral relations,” said Mr. Jaiswal.
Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison acknowledged Tuesday before a House of Commons committee that he gave Mr. Shah’s name to the Washington Post, which first reported the Canadian accusations. Mr. Morrison did not specify how Canada learned of the Indian minister’s alleged involvement.
Canadian authorities have maintained that they have passed evidence to India, but Indian officials deny this.
Mr. Nijjar, a local organizer of the Sikh independence movement, was shot and killed outside the Sikh temple he led on June 18, 2023. Four Indian nationals were charged last May with first-degree murder and conspiracy for murder in this case.
