NEW DELHi, Oct 14: India delivered a strong rebuttal on Monday to Canada following a diplomatic communication indicating that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are considered “persons of interest” in an ongoing investigation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned these allegations as “preposterous imputations” and accused the Trudeau government of pursuing a political agenda rooted in vote-bank politics.
In a firm statement, the MEA highlighted that since Trudeau’s accusations in September 2023, Canada has not provided any evidence to back its claims. “Despite multiple requests from India, the Canadian government has not shared a shred of evidence with us,” the MEA asserted, suggesting that this latest action appears to be part of a deliberate strategy to defame India for political gains.
The MEA characterized this communication as another unfounded assertion from the Trudeau administration, accusing it of crafting an anti-India narrative. “This move leaves little doubt that the so-called investigation is being weaponized to serve a political agenda,” the ministry stated.
The MEA also pointed to Trudeau’s long-standing hostility toward India, noting his government’s connections with individuals advocating extremist and separatist views. The statement referenced Trudeau’s controversial visit to India in 2018, which was perceived as an attempt to gain domestic political favor but resulted in diplomatic backlash.
Additionally, the MEA criticized Trudeau’s interference in Indian affairs during the 2020 farmer protests, asserting that he exploited bilateral relations for his political advantage. The ministry highlighted that Trudeau’s government depends on support from a political party whose leader openly promotes separatism from India, further exacerbating tensions.
India connected Canada’s recent actions to the domestic challenges Trudeau faces regarding foreign interference. “The timing of this action is no coincidence. It coincides with Trudeau’s scheduled testimony before a Commission on foreign interference, suggesting that India is being scapegoated to alleviate political fallout,” the MEA remarked.
Furthermore, the MEA accused the Trudeau administration of consistently catering to anti-India elements, allowing extremists to threaten Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada. “These activities, including death threats, have been justified under the guise of freedom of speech,” the statement said.
The MEA also criticized Canada for ignoring extradition requests for terrorists and organized crime figures while granting citizenship to individuals who entered Canada illegally.
In defending Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, the MEA emphasized his distinguished 36-year diplomatic career, which includes postings in Japan, Sudan, and other key nations. “The aspersions cast on him by Canada are not only ludicrous but deserve to be treated with contempt,” the ministry declared.
The MEA hinted at potential retaliatory actions, stating that India has already enacted reciprocal diplomatic restrictions and reserves the right to take further measures in response to these allegations against its diplomats.
Relations between the two nations have significantly deteriorated since Trudeau alleged in Parliament last year that India played a role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India dismissed these claims as “absurd” and “motivated,” criticizing Canada for harboring extremist elements. Nijjar, designated a terrorist by India in 2020, was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, in June 2023.
