- By Aashish Vashistha
- Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:53 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Amid strained diplomatic ties between India and Canada following the expulsion of six diplomats from each country, India’s top diplomat in Canada has brushed off any role in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot and killed in British Columbia last year.
Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma made these remarks while leaving Canada as the diplomatic ties between the two countries soured and reached their lowest point. Verma emphasised that Ottawa has not shared a ‘shred of evidence’ with New Delhi concerning the case, and called its allegations ‘politically motivated’.
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In a recent interview with Canadian broadcaster CTV, Verma addressed escalating tensions between India and Canada, particularly in view of allegations regarding the Indian government's involvement in targeted actions against individuals in Canada.
This comes after Canada labelled the High Commissioner and five other Indian diplomats as "persons of interest" in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, designated as a terrorist by the NIA. In response, India strongly condemned the action and recalled six diplomats, including Verma.
"We needed to see some evidence based on which we can converse with our Canadian counterparts. Unfortunately, not a shred of evidence has been shared with us. Any evidence shared has to be legally acceptable,” Verma said in the interview.
India had already said that Ottawa's claim that it shared evidence with New Delhi in the Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar case was simply not true. It also refuted Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegations that India was engaging in activities including carrying out covert operations targeting Canadian nationals in his country.