Canada’s allegations are politically motivated, India amid diplomatic row over Khalistani

New Delhi:

Canada has not provided any specific information on its allegations that India was involved in the killing of a Khalistan terrorist on its territory, and the allegations appear to be “politically motivated”, the ministry said today of Foreign Affairs (MEA).

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters in Delhi that India had informed Canada that it was ready to look into the matter, but Canada did not share any details on the allegations made for the first time by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the affair. assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

“No specific information was shared by Canada at that time, before or after. We are willing to review specific information if it is provided to us. For our part, we have very specific information on individuals individuals in Canada and all have been shared with them. But Canada has not followed through on these measures,” Mr. Bagchi said.

The huge diplomatic battle intensified today when India froze all Canadian visas and Canada announced it would reduce the presence of its diplomatic staff in India.

India also wants Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence, as the number of employees in India is greater than that of India in Canada.

India has asked Canada to take action against more than 20 individuals linked to Khalistan terrorism, Bagchi said. He said Canada had become one of the safe havens for terrorists, adding that the blockage in the processing of Canadian visas was linked to the larger problem of terrorism in Khalistan.

“Canada should be concerned about its growing reputation as a haven for extremists and terrorists,” the MEA spokesperson said.

India has rejected Canada’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”, and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move against Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official in the matter.

Nijjar was shot dead by two masked assailants outside a Sikh temple he presided over in Surrey, an outer suburb of Vancouver. He was wanted by India on charges of terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder.

Indian accuses Ottawa of turning a blind eye to the activities of radical Sikh nationalists who advocate the creation of an independent state to be carved out of northern India.