India has reacted angrily after being instructed by Canada that its ambassador and different diplomats have been named as “individuals of curiosity” in an investigation within the nation.
The overseas ministry in Delhi mentioned it obtained the information in a diplomatic communication from Canada on Sunday, and reserved the correct to reply. “The Authorities of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations,” it mentioned.
The assertion refers to allegations final yr by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the Indian authorities might have been behind the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil. Delhi has repeatedly rejected the allegation.
The row led to a deterioration in ties, with India asking Canada to withdraw dozens of its diplomatic workers and suspending visa services.
On Monday, India’s overseas ministry mentioned Canada’s allegations have been a part of Trudeau’s “political agenda” and warned of motion, with out specifying what it might be.
“India now reserves the correct to take additional steps in response to those newest efforts of the Canadian Authorities to concoct allegations towards Indian diplomats,” it mentioned.
Delhi additionally defended its Excessive Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, referring to his “distinguished profession spanning 36 years”.
“The aspersions solid on him by the Authorities of Canada are ludicrous and should be handled with contempt,” it mentioned.
There was no speedy Canadian response to Delhi’s assertion.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed in June 2023 by two masked gunmen exterior a Sikh temple he led in Surrey, British Columbia.
He had been a vocal supporter of the Khalistan motion, which calls for a separate Sikh homeland, and publicly campaigned for it.
India has previously described him as a terrorist who led a militant separatist group – accusations his supporters known as unfounded.
Canadian police known as his killing a “focused assault”.
In September 2023, Trudeau had instructed Canada’s parliament that allegations of Indian involvement within the killing have been based mostly on Canadian intelligence.
He known as the act a violation of Canada’s sovereignty.
India has vehemently denied all allegations and maintained that Canada has supplied no proof to assist its claims.
Frosty ties between the 2 nations appeared to have thawed barely after India resumed processing visas in October 2023.
However final week, Canadian Overseas Minister Mélanie Joly known as the nation’s relations with India “tense” and “very tough”.
She additionally mentioned there remained a menace of extra killings like Nijjar’s on Canadian soil.
