New Delhi, November 21 (IANS). India has termed the reports in Canadian media regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar as a ‘defamation campaign’.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, it was said that such a campaign will further strain the relations between the two countries and such ‘ridiculous’ allegations should be rejected outright.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Wednesday that we generally do not comment on media reports. However, such ridiculous statements purportedly made to a newspaper by a Canadian government source should be treated with the contempt they deserve. Such defamatory campaigns further damage our already strained relations.
The statement comes after a report by Canada-based Globe and Mail, which attempted to establish a link between the death of NIA-proclaimed terrorist Hardeep Nijjar and the Indian government.
It is worth noting that India’s relations with Canada have been very strained in the last few months. India has repeatedly expressed its deep concern about the culture of extremism and violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has asked the Canadian authorities to take action against these activities.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had claimed that India had a hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year.
India has been continuously denying Canada’s allegations. India had described Trudeau’s allegations as absurd and politically motivated. Apart from this, India had also accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in its country.
Recent media reports have claimed that Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were also aware of the plot to assassinate Nijjar.
Earlier this month, India had recalled six diplomats from Canada after the Canadian government declared them “persons of interest” in the investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Let us tell you that Nijjar was murdered outside the Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18 last year.
Last month, relations between the two countries became strained after Canada alleged the involvement of Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and some other diplomats.
India had strongly rejected all allegations made by Ottawa regarding the case and subsequently recalled the High Commissioner. The Canadian government had said that Indian diplomats were expelled from the country.
Following Canada’s allegations, New Delhi had expelled Canada’s charge d’affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats.
–IANS
PSK/KR
