Canada Denies Linking PM Modi, Jaishankar to Criminal Activities as India Calls Out 'Smear Campaign'

New Delhi: A day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed a Canadian media report highlighting PM Modi's role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada has issued a statement denying any role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in its ‘internal matters’. This statement comes amid the ongoing India-Canada Row over diplomatic issues.

Canada Denies PM Modi, Jaishankar's Role in ‘Internal Matters’

A day after India called out Canada's ‘smear campaign’ against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the country, the Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, Nathalie G. Drouin has issued a statement on behalf of the nation.

The statement by the Justin Trudeau government reads, “On October 14th, because of a significant and ongoing threat to public safety, the RCMP and officials took the extraordinary step of making public accusations of serious criminal activity in Canada perpetrated by agents of the Government of India.”

The statement further read, "The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate.”

Trudeau Govt's Statement After India Calls Out Canada On ‘Smear Campaign’

This statement by the Justin Trudeau government comes a day after India called out Canada for its ‘smear campaign’ against the nation. Local media reports had claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi already knew about the alleged plot to kill Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Not only this, the reports further claimed that apart from him, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were also aware of this plot. The report also mentioned that Canada doesn't have evidence regarding the same yet.

Quoting the report, “While Canada does not have direct evidence that Mr. Modi knew, the official said, the assessment is that it would be unthinkable that three senior political figures in India would not have discussed the targeted killings with Mr. Modi before proceeding.”

Official Statement by India Condemned ‘Ludicrous' Claims

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

He added that that campaigns will further damage the already strained ties between the two nations. "We do not normally comment on media reports. However, such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties," said MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar Killing

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

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

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

India-Canada Row Over Diplomatic Issues

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

Citing security concerns, the Indian govt recalled high commissioner Verma along with other diplomats. Further, the MEA expelled six Canadian diplomats, including the deputy high commissioner and acting high commissioner. However, the Canadian government had claimed that the Indian diplomats were expelled from the country.

"I think it is obvious the Government of India made a fundamental error in thinking they could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canadians, here on Canadian soil. Whether it be murders or extortion or other violent acts, it is absolutely unacceptable," Trudeau had said.