MEA Refutes Trudeau’s Claims, Asserts Lack of Evidence in Nijjar Case
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s testimony before a Commission of Inquiry, emphasizing that Canada has failed to provide evidence to support allegations against India. The MEA’s statement came after Trudeau admitted he had only “intelligence” but no “hard evidentiary proof” when accusing Indian agents of involvement in the death of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.
India-Canada Relations Strained Over Nijjar Allegations
The MEA’s statement, issued early Thursday, highlighted that the recent revelations during Trudeau’s testimony validate India’s consistent position. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “What we have heard today only confirms what we have been saying consistently all along—Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats.”
Trudeau, during his testimony, claimed that Indian diplomats were allegedly collecting information on Canadian nationals critical of the Narendra Modi government and sharing it with high-ranking officials in New Delhi and criminal networks like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. However, India firmly dismissed these assertions, describing them as baseless and unsubstantiated.
MEA Dismisses Allegations, Blames Canada for Damaged Relations
The MEA placed the blame for the deterioration in India-Canada relations squarely on Prime Minister Trudeau’s “cavalier behaviour,” asserting that the damage caused lies solely with the Canadian leadership. The statement from the MEA further condemned attempts by Canadian authorities to link Indian agents to criminal gangs in Canada.
India’s response also included the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats earlier in the week, followed by the withdrawal of its high commissioner from Ottawa. This move came after Canada alleged Indian involvement in covert activities targeting Canadian nationals. India refuted such allegations as “simply not true” and criticized Ottawa for its lack of credible evidence.
The MEA’s stance underscores the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations, highlighting India’s demand for concrete evidence before accepting any allegations related to the Nijjar case. As the public inquiry continues, the international community watches closely, awaiting further developments in the strained ties between India and Canada.
