India Rejects Canadian Media Claims on Hardeep Nijjar Killing as ‘Ludicrous Smear Campaign’

India Rejects Canadian Media Claims on Hardeep Nijjar Killing as ‘Ludicrous Smear Campaign

A Canadian media report that claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi knew of a conspiracy to kill Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was dismissed by India on Wednesday, referring to it as a “smear campaign.” The Globe and Mail said India’s External Affairs Minister and National Security Advisor (NSA) were also aware of the purported plan, citing an unidentified senior Canadian official.

Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry, rejected the charges as “ludicrous statements” that should be rejected outright. “Normally, we don’t respond to news reporting. But such absurd remarks to a newspaper, allegedly from a Canadian official source, should be treated with the disdain they merit,” he said.

Such reports just exacerbate the already strained relationship between the two nations, Jaiswal stressed. There has been a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada since Nijjar was murdered in June 2023 at a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Canadian police charged four Indian nationals with the murder.

India has insisted repeatedly that Canada has not produced any proof that Indian government operatives caused Nijjar’s death. Nijjar had already been labeled a terrorist by New Delhi, which also called Canada’s charges “preposterous.”

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When Indian officials, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, were designated as “persons of interest” in the case by Ottawa last month, tensions increased even further. As a result, India recalled its envoy and expelled six Canadian diplomats, including Stewart Wheeler, the Charge d’Affaires. India has charged the Justin Trudeau administration with pursuing a political agenda and destroying bilateral relations. With accusations and retaliatory actions still straining relations, both countries are still at a standstill.