The central government denied on Tuesday that India was involved in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, as claimed by the Canadian authorities. The government referred to Canada’s accusations as “absurd and motivated” and asserted that India is firmly committed to upholding the rule of law.
“We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.
The death of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, by two unidentified assailants outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18 this year, was investigated by the Canadian security authorities, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier on Tuesday. Additionally, Trudeau claimed that at the G20 Summit, he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” Trudeau told the House of Commons.
However, the central government said, “Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected.” The MEA statement further said, “We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law.”
