Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has strongly refuted the allegations made by the Canadian government concerning India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Speaking amid growing diplomatic tensions, Verma called the accusations “politically motivated” and stated that no evidence has been shared by Canada to substantiate its claims.
The diplomatic rift escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian government agents were involved in Nijjar’s murder on Canadian soil, a charge New Delhi has firmly rejected as “absurd” and “motivated.” The allegations have severely strained relations between the two nations, with both countries expelling multiple diplomats in retaliation. Canada designated Verma and several other Indian diplomats as “persons of interest” in the investigation, to which India responded by recalling Verma and other officials, and expelling six Canadian diplomats.
Verma emphasized that India operates within the rule of law and is open to cooperating if credible evidence is provided. “We have repeatedly requested Canada to share any legally acceptable evidence, but none has been provided,” Verma said in a recent interview, dismissing the accusations as part of Trudeau’s domestic political agenda. He added, “This is clearly politically motivated, as no proper procedures were followed.”
Meanwhile, Indian officials have accused the Trudeau administration of pandering to extremist elements within Canada for electoral gains, particularly by allowing pro-Khalistani groups to operate freely. Indian authorities have maintained that Canada’s refusal to act against these groups has contributed to the growing discord between the two nations.
