India has vehemently dismissed a Canadian media report alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was linked to the conspiracy to kill a Sikh separatist leader in Canada, calling it a “ludicrous” claim.
The statement from India came in response to a report by The Globe and Mail, which suggested that Canadian security agencies believed that Modi might have known about the targeted killings of Sikh separatists in British Columbia, Canada.
The Indian government strongly rejected the allegations, labeling them a “smear campaign” and warning that such false claims would only exacerbate the already strained diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
The report sparked a diplomatic spat, with India quickly issuing a statement condemning the article and demanding that these “baseless” claims be dismissed. The controversy underscores the growing tensions between India and Canada, especially after the expulsion of diplomats from both countries in October.
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As both sides continue to clash over these sensitive issues, it is important to understand the details of the situation, India’s response, and the broader implications for international relations.
Background: The Alleged Plot and the Canadian Media Report
On November 20, 2024, The Globe and Mail published an explosive report claiming that Canadian security agencies had gathered intelligence suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of a plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia.
The report cited unnamed sources from Canada’s national security establishment, alleging that senior Indian officials, including Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, were “in the loop” regarding the killing and other violent plots targeting Sikh separatists living in Canada.
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According to the report, while Canada could not confirm direct evidence that Modi knew about the assassination plot, the intelligence assessment suggested that it would have been “unthinkable” for the Indian leadership to have not been involved in discussions about such high-profile operations.
This claim prompted significant outrage from Indian officials, who immediately rejected the allegations, asserting that such statements had no factual basis.
In its coverage, The Globe and Mail emphasized that while Canadian authorities were aware of the Indian government’s involvement in various criminal activities, including the killing of Canadian nationals, no direct evidence linked Prime Minister Modi or other senior Indian ministers to the murders.
Furthermore, the Privy Council Office clarified that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had not made any allegations against Modi or other senior officials directly.
Despite this clarification, the article created a storm of controversy, leading to India’s sharp condemnation of the report. The article fueled further tensions in an already strained relationship between the two countries, especially after a series of diplomatic expulsions in October that had intensified the conflict.
India’s Firm Rejection of the Allegations
In a strongly worded statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India dismissed the allegations as “ludicrous” and labeled them as part of a broader “smear campaign” designed to undermine the country’s standing on the global stage. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We do not normally comment on media reports.
However, such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve.” He added that campaigns like these were damaging to the already strained bilateral relations between India and Canada.
India’s response to the allegations was swift and direct, highlighting the lack of concrete evidence to back the claims made in the Canadian media. The Indian government emphasized that there was no basis for linking Prime Minister Modi or any of his senior colleagues to the alleged plot to kill the Sikh separatist leader. India further warned that continuing such baseless smear campaigns would only serve to worsen relations between the two countries.
In addition to the diplomatic statement, India summoned Canada’s acting deputy high commissioner, Geoffrey Dean, and handed him a formal protest against the allegations. The protest conveyed India’s outrage over the “absurd” and “baseless” claims made by Canadian officials regarding the involvement of India’s home minister, Amit Shah, in the plot to kill Canadian nationals.
India’s stance on this matter was clear: it would not tolerate such unfounded accusations, especially given the sensitive nature of the issue involving the safety of Indian citizens abroad.
The Escalation of Diplomatic Tensions
The tensions between India and Canada have been escalating over the past few months, primarily due to the involvement of Indian diplomats in alleged criminal activities in Canada.
In October 2024, a diplomatic stand-off between the two countries reached a new peak when both sides expelled six diplomats each, including high-level envoys.
India revealed that Canada had identified six Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, as “persons of interest” in a criminal investigation related to the shooting of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In retaliation, India expelled Canadian diplomats, marking a significant deterioration in relations. This tit-for-tat diplomatic move underscored the rising tensions and distrust between the two countries, with accusations of foreign interference and espionage coming to the forefront.
The latest report alleging Modi’s knowledge of the Sikh separatist’s murder further deepens the rift between the two nations. While Canada has made it clear that no direct allegations have been made against Prime Minister Modi, the report still raised serious questions about the extent of India’s involvement in extrajudicial activities within Canadian borders.
For India, the publication of the report felt like a continuation of a broader pattern of Canadian accusations regarding India’s involvement in targeted killings, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering operations against Sikh separatists.
Broader Implications for Bilateral Relations
The current diplomatic impasse between India and Canada has far-reaching implications for the future of their bilateral ties. Relations between the two countries have been strained over the years, with particular attention given to the issue of Sikh separatism.
Canada is home to a significant Sikh diaspora, and the ongoing tensions surrounding the Khalistan movement and demands for an independent Sikh state have been a point of contention between the two nations.
While India has consistently opposed the Khalistan movement, Canada has faced criticism for providing a platform to Sikh separatists, leading to a delicate balancing act in diplomatic relations.
The Canadian media report alleging Modi’s involvement in the Sikh separatist’s killing only serves to further complicate an already contentious situation. If such claims continue to surface, they could further inflame nationalist sentiments in India, who view any criticism of their government as an attack on the sovereignty of the nation.
Similarly, the allegations could intensify scrutiny on Canada’s handling of issues related to foreign interference, especially considering the growing presence of Indian nationals in the country and their role in various community and political movements.
While both nations continue to address these sensitive matters, it is clear that the road ahead for India-Canada relations will require careful navigation. The need for clear communication and evidence-based diplomacy will be essential if both countries are to prevent further deterioration of ties and address the complex issues at hand.
The allegations made in The Globe and Mail report have sparked a fresh round of diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. India has firmly rejected the claims as baseless and inflammatory, warning that such accusations will only damage their already strained relations.
While Canada has clarified that no direct allegations have been made against Prime Minister Modi, the report has nonetheless added fuel to the fire, exacerbating the ongoing diplomatic standoff between the two countries.
As India and Canada continue to engage in dialogue over issues such as Sikh separatism and intelligence gathering, it is evident that the stakes are high. Both countries must navigate these sensitive issues with caution, as further escalation could have lasting consequences for their bilateral relationship. For now, the focus remains on de-escalating tensions and finding a way forward in a complex and volatile diplomatic environment.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏