Canada denied having proof that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was connected to violence on Canadian territory, despite expelling six Indian diplomats for allegedly conspiring to target Sikh separatists.
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Amit Shah, who is regarded as the number two in Modi's cabinet, was accused by the Canadian foreign ministry last month of being responsible for an intimidation campaign in Canada. According to Ottawa, there is proof that Indian government operatives were involved in the 2023 killing of Sikh rebel Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
The Globe and Mail newspaper reported this week that Canadian security authorities thought Modi was aware of the deadly plans and that national security advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar were also involved.
Late Thursday evening, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's intelligence advisor, Nathalie Drouin, issued a denial statement on a government website.
"The Government of Canada has not made any statements or disclosed any information that would connect NSA Doval, Minister Jaishankar, or Prime Minister Modi to any significant criminal conduct occurring in Canada. Any indication to the contrary is erroneous and speculative," she stated.
In connection with Nijjar's murder, four Indian citizens have been charged. Any allegation that its operatives participated in violence against Sikh separatists on Canadian territory is categorically denied by India.
Outside of their native Punjab, Canada is home to the largest Sikh population, and protests calling for a distinct homeland inside India have irritated New Delhi.
The separatists are referred to as "terrorists" by India, which claims they pose a security risk.
