- By Mayukh Debnath
- Thu, 24 Oct 2024 06:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India-Canada Row: Sanjay Verma, the Indian envoy who was recalled by New Delhi from Canada, said on Thursday that it came as a shock to him when the Canadian authorities declared him a 'person of interest' in an investigation linked to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In an interview with news agency PTI, the former Indian High Commissioner to Ottawa described the Canadian move as a "kind of back-stabbing".
Recalling his appearance before Canadian authorities after being summoned by Ottawa, Verma said his face "did not betray emotion" and "not even a wrinkle of worry" was visibile. He further described Canada's approach during the entire diplomatic fiasco as "most unprofessional". Verma also claimed that radical Khalistanis systematically indulge in serious offences like human trafficking and gun running in Canada.
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He said such elements also extort money from local gurdwaras to fund their "nefarious business". Verma attributed the mass settlement of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada to a supposed leniency in the country's legal system. At the same time, he stressed that only a small portion of the considerable Sikh population in Canada is sympathetic towards the Khalistani cause.
"Just a handful, about 10,000 people, of Sikhs in Canada are hard-line Khalistanis," Verma was quoted as saying by PTI. The senior diplomat also alleged that Khalistanis use threats directed at family members, particularly daughters, to intimidate Sikhs who don't identify with their cause. Moreover, he categorically dismissed India's involvement in Nijjar's killing, saying New Delhi refrains from conducting covert operations.
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Verma also reiterated India's official stance that Canada was unable to share even a "shred of evidence" to substantiate the allegations levelled by its Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had publicly claimed that Nijjar's murder was the handiwork of Indian intelligence agents.
Speaking on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP's) claim linking unnamed Indian officials the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he said, "We gave names of Goldie Brar, Lawrence Bishnoi to Canada, suddenly Brar's name disappeared from their wanted list." While Bishnoi is presently lodged in Gujarat's Sabarmati Jail, Brar, a top aide of his, is said to be based out of Canada.
(With inputs from agencies)
