Ottawa denies evidence linking Indian PM Modi to violence in Canada

Canada, which expelled six Indian diplomats for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy against Sikh separatists, has denied there is evidence linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to violence on Canadian soil.

Canada’s foreign ministry last month alleged that Amit Shah, considered the Modi government’s number two, was behind an intimidation campaign in Canada. Ottawa says there is evidence linking Indian government agents to the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

This week, the Globe and Mail newspaper said Canadian security agencies believed Modi was aware of the violent plans and that External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and national security adviser Ajit Doval were also involved.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s intelligence adviser, Nathalie Drouin, posted a denial statement on a government website late Thursday night.

“The Government of Canada has made no statement linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar or NSA Doval to serious criminal activity in Canada, and is unaware of any evidence to that effect. Any claims to the contrary are both speculative and false,” he said.

Four Indian nationals have been charged in connection with Nijjar’s murder. India categorically denies any allegation that its agents were involved in violence against Sikh separatists on Canadian soil.

Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside their home province of Punjab, and demonstrations calling for a separate homeland from India have irritated New Delhi.

India calls separatists “terrorists” who it says pose a threat to its security.