India accuses Canada of 'preposterous' probe

FE Team | Published: October 14, 2024 21:12:48

NEW DELHI, Oct 14 (BBC): India has reacted angrily after being told by Canada that its ambassador and other diplomats were named as "persons of interest" in an investigation in the country.
The foreign ministry in Delhi said it received the news in a diplomatic communication from Canada on Sunday, and reserved the right to respond. "The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations," it said.
The statement refers to allegations last year by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the Indian government may 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 staff and suspending visa services.
On Monday, India's foreign ministry said Canada's allegations were part of Trudeau's "political agenda" and warned of action, without specifying what it would be.
"India now reserves the right to take further steps in response to these latest efforts of the Canadian Government to concoct allegations against Indian diplomats," it said.
Delhi also defended its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, referring to his "distinguished career spanning 36 years".
"The aspersions cast on him by the Government of Canada are ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt," it said.
There was no immediate Canadian response to Delhi's statement.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed in June 2023 by two masked gunmen outside a Sikh temple he led in Surrey, British Columbia.
He had been a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement, which demands a separate Sikh homeland, and publicly campaigned for it.
India has in the past described him as a terrorist who led a militant separatist group - accusations his supporters called unfounded.