India rejects allegations supporting violence by Canada (Press Release)

The government and people of India have rejected allegations leveled against the country by Canada in a Press Release. According to India, the allegations are false.

Canada on Monday accused India’s government of involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader near Vancouver last June and expelled New Delhi’s intelligence chief in Ottawa in retaliation.

Nijjar, whom India had declared a wanted terrorist, was gunned down on June 18 in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver that is home to a major Sikh community.

New Delhi had accused Nijjar of carrying out terrorist attacks in India, a charge he denied. India’s foreign ministry on Tuesday rejected Canada’s claims of involvement in his death.

The statement furthered that, the same allegations have been given a voice by the Parliament of Canada and its Foreign Minister. It indicated that the allegations were absurd.

India has also indicated that the country is a democratic one that holds to its strong commitment to the rule of law.

“Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The statement said.

In a related development, MEA says, “The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days. The decision reflects Government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.”

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India Rejects Allegations Supporting Violence by Canada (Press Release): Below is the full press release by the Indian government

We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as well as the statement by their Foreign Minister.

Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated.

Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected.

We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law.

Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern.

That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern.

The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organized crime is not new.

We reject any attempts to connect Government of India to such developments.

We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.

New Delhi
September 19, 2023