India summons Canadian envoy over ‘preposterous’ claims tying Indian diplomats to Nijjar case

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has called in the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, Stewart Wheeler, following Canada’s decision to name the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in their investigation into the death of Khalistani militant Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The Ministry called the accusations “preposterous imputations.” In a press release, the MEA categorically dismissed these claims, calling them a part of the “political agenda of the Trudeau Government.”

Although the specific case was not mentioned, relations between India and Canada have hit an all time low since Canada connected Indian diplomats to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has denied these allegations and has demanded evidence to back these serious claims.

“We received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are ‘persons of interest’ in a matter related to an investigation in that country. The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centred around vote bank politics,” MEA said in the statement.

“Prime Minister Trudeau’s hostility to India has long been in evidence. In 2018, his visit to India, which was aimed at currying favour with a vote bank, rebounded to his discomfort. His Cabinet has included individuals who have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda regarding India,” it said.

“His naked interference in Indian internal politics in December 2020 showed how far he was willing to go in this regard. That his Government was dependent on a political party, whose leader openly espouses a separatist ideology vis-à-vis India, only aggravated matters. Under criticism for turning a blind eye to foreign interference in Canadian politics, his Government has deliberately brought in India in an attempt to mitigate the damage. This latest development targeting Indian diplomats is now the next step in that direction. It is no coincidence that it takes place as Prime Minister Trudeau is to depose before a Commission on foreign interference. It also serves the anti-India separatist agenda that the Trudeau Government has constantly pandered to for narrow political gains,” it added.

Commenting on Canada’s allegations regarding Nijjar, the MEA stated that the country has yet to provide any evidence to New Delhi. It accused the Canadian Government of running a smear campaign under the guise of an investigation.

“Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side. This latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts. This leaves little doubt that, on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains,” it added.

New Delhi further accused the Trudeau Government of giving space to extremists and terrorists in Canada to intimidate Indian diplomats.

“To that end, the Trudeau Government has consciously provided space to violent extremists and terrorists to harass, threaten and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada. This has included death threats to them and Indian leaders. All these activities have been justified in the name of freedom of speech,” it said.

“The Government of India has taken cognizance of the activities of the Canadian High Commission in India that serve the political agenda of the current regime. This led to the implementation of the principle of reciprocity regarding diplomatic representation. India now reserves the right to take further steps in response to these latest efforts of the Canadian Government to concoct allegations against Indian diplomats,” it added.

(With inputs from agencies)