Canada, which has expelled six Indian diplomats for their alleged involvement in a plot against Sikh separatists, has denied it has any evidence that Narendra Modi was involved in violence in Canada.
Canada's Ministry of Foreign Affairs last month alleged that Amit Shah, the Modi government's number two, was behind the intimidation campaign in Canada. Ottawa says there is evidence linking Indian government officials to the 2023 murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
This week, the Globe and Mail reported that Canadian security officials believe the Indian prime minister knew about the violent plot, and that Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were also involved. He said he was doing so.
Nathalie Drouin, information adviser to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, posted a denial on the government's website late Thursday night.
“The Government of Canada has not explicitly stated, nor is it aware of any evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to any serious criminal activity in Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is speculative and unfounded. It’s accurate,” she said.
Four Indian nationals have been charged with Nijjar's murder. India categorically rejects any suggestion that Indian operatives were involved in violence against Sikh separatists in Canada.
Canada has the largest Sikh population outside of its home province of Punjab, and protests calling for a separate homeland carved out of India have irritated New Delhi.
India calls the separatists “terrorists” and says they are a threat to its security.
