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

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

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.

According to media reports, the statements were given to Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail.

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

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

"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," the news report said. This marks the first time of accusations being directly levelled at PM Modi, S Jaishankar, and Doval in connection with the incident, escalating the controversy sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's earlier allegations.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorists 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.

India-Canada Tensions

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. 

Who Was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

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.