Indian officials on Sunday rubbished a media report that claimed a "secret memo" was issued by New Delhi in April to take "concrete" measures against certain Sikh separatists including Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Responding to the reports, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such reports were ‘fake’ and ‘fabricated’, which were orchestrated by an outlet known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence.

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"We strongly assert that such reports are fake and completely fabricated. There is no such memo. This is part of a sustained disinformation campaign against India. The outlet in question is known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence. The posts of the authors confirm this linkage. Those who amplify such fake news only do so at the cost of their own credibility," the statement by MEA reads.

A diplomatic tussle erupted between India and Canada in September this year when the latter claimed India was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, while addressing the Parliament made the allegation of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in  Nijjar’s murder on June 18.

India however rejected the claims calling them ‘absurd’ and ‘politically motivated’. In the backdrop of the tussle, both countries expelled several diplomats. India also temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to reduce their diplomatic presence in India. Canada has withdrawn 41 diplomats and their family members from India.

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India has at times asked Canada to release evidence backing up its allegation regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.