India Trashes Canada's 'Smear Campaign' Against PM Modi Over Nijjar Killing, Calls it 'Ludicrous'

New Delhi: Amid ongoing India-Cana tensions, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly dismissed a report in Canian media which claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi alrey knew about alleged plot to kill Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Terming statements given to Canian newspaper, purportedly by a Canian government source, as "smear campaigns", MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India generally doesn't comment on media reports but given nature of statement, y should be dismissed with contempt y deserve.

He ded that that campaigns will furr damage alrey strained ties between two nations.

"We do not normally comment on media reports. However, such ludicrous statements me to a newspaper purportedly by a Canian government source should be dismissed with contempt y deserve. Smear campaigns like this only furr damage our alrey strained ties," said MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

According to media reports, statements were given to Canian newspaper Globe and Mail.

In its report, newspaper cited inputs from a senior national security official in Cana.

report furr claimed Indian national security visor Ajit Doval and external affairs minister S Jaishankar were also aware about alleged plot. report, however, also mentioned that Cana did not have any evidence to back this claim against PM Modi. 

"While Cana does not have direct evidence that Mr. Modi knew, official said, assessment is that it would be unthinkable that three senior political figures in India would not have discussed targeted killings with Mr. Modi before proceeding," news report said. This marks first time of accusations being directly levelled at PM Modi, S Jaishankar, and Doval in connection with incident, escalating controversy sparked by Canian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's earlier allegations.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorists by India, was shot de in Surrey in Cana's British Columbia province, in June 2023, kickstarting a diplomatic row after Canian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused "agents" of Delhi of being involved in alleged plot.

India-Cana Tensions

India-Cana relations furr hit rock bottom last month after Ottawa linked Indian High Commissioner in Cana Sanjay Verma and some or top diplomats to murder. Cana alleged high commissioner and or diplomats were "a person of interest" in Nijjar murder probe. New Delhi has vehemently denied any involvement, dismissing claims me by Ottawa as baseless and politically motivated.

Citing security concerns, Indian govt recalled high commissioner Verma along with or diplomats.  

Furr, MEA expelled six Canian diplomats, including deputy high commissioner and acting high commissioner. However, Canian government h claimed that Indian diplomats were expelled from country.

"I think it is obvious Government of India me a fundamental error in thinking y could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canians, here on Canian soil. Wher it be murders or extortion or or violent acts, it is absolutely unacceptable," Trudeau h said. 

Who Was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Nijjar - chief of banned terror outfit Khalistan Tiger Force - was on Delhi's list of 'most wanted' terrorists for multiple crimes, including murder of a Hindu priest in Punjab . Anti-terror agency NIA h offered a Rs 10 lakh reward for information leing to his capture. He was gunned down by two armed men in Punjabi-dominated Surrey city of British Columbia province. 

Nijjar was associated with separatist organisation, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which was banned under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for anti-India activities by government of India in 2019. Taking cognisance of his several terrorist activities in Punjab, Indian government h earlier asked Canian officials to take action against him.  Due to his association with violent activities, Indian government officially labelled him as a 'wanted terrorist.' Nijjar's name prominently featured among 40 individuals designated as terrorists in government's most recent release in 2020.