India has categorically rejected recent allegations in the Canadian media that suggest a connection between the Indian government and the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, labeling these claims as unfounded and unworthy of consideration. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned such reports as “smear campaigns” that exacerbate the already fragile relationship between India and Canada.
In a statement made on November 20, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that while India typically refrains from commenting on media narratives, the absurdity of the assertions attributed to a Canadian government source warrants dismissal. He remarked that such smear tactics only serve to further harm the already strained diplomatic ties. This statement comes in response to an article by The Globe and Mail, which sought to associate Nijjar’s death with the Indian government. Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), was shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 of the previous year.
The relationship between India and Canada has significantly soured, with India consistently raising alarms about extremism and anti-India sentiments within Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously asserted the existence of “credible allegations” linking India to Nijjar’s death, a claim that India has firmly dismissed as “absurd” and “motivated,” accusing Canada of providing refuge to extremist factions. The situation intensified earlier this month when India recalled six diplomats after they were identified as “persons of interest” by Canada in the ongoing investigation into Nijjar’s murder.
