Diplomatic Rift: India's High Commissioner Denies Canada's Allegations

Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma refutes Canada's allegations concerning the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, labeling them politically driven. Verma criticized Canada's lack of evidence and handling of the investigation, asserting India's commitment to lawful practices and condemning the murder's extrajudicial nature.

In a recent interview with CTV News, Sanjay Kumar Verma, India's recalled High Commissioner to Canada, strongly refuted allegations made by Ottawa linking him to the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Verma highlighted New Delhi's assertion that no evidence has been provided to substantiate Canada's accusations and characterized the charges as politically motivated.

Tensions rose when Canada designated Verma and five other Indian diplomats as 'persons of interest' in Nijjar's murder. In response, India issued a vehement condemnation and recalled six diplomats, including Verma. Verma firmly maintained, 'No evidence presented. Politically motivated.' He challenged Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, questioning the concrete evidence she referenced and accused her statements of being politically charged.

Ambassador Verma dismissed allegations of directing or coercing individuals to gather intelligence on pro-Khalistani activists, including Nijjar. He explained that his office only monitors such elements for national interest by using open-source information, which includes reading newspapers and social media posts.

Verma condemned Nijjar's murder as 'wrong and bad,' emphasizing that India does not partake in extrajudicial killings on any territory. He also critiqued Canada's investigative approach, pointing to 26 extradition-related dossiers sent by India that remain unaddressed. The strained political relations follow Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertion in Parliament regarding 'credible allegations' of India's involvement in Nijjar's death.

India has categorically denied these claims, dismissing them as 'absurd' and 'motivated,' also accusing Canada of harboring extremist and anti-India elements. Nijjar, designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey last June.

(With inputs from agencies.)