NEW DELHI: India denies being” absurd and motivated” by Canada’s claim that it was responsible for the murder of a Sikh separatist head and rather urges the nation to take legal action against anti-Indian elements operating on its soil.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons on Monday( Sept 18 ) that Canada was” actively pursuing credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder.
India labeled Nijjar a” criminal” in July 2020 in response to his aid for Khalistan, an independent state of Sikh origin, after he was shot dead in June in front of one of the country’s temples.
The American Foreign Ministry stated on Tuesday that similar accusations were made to our prime minister by the Canadian Prime Minister and were totally rejected.
The department added in a speech,” We urge the government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal actions against all anti-India parts operating from their land.”
It claimed that these” unsubstantiated allegations” aimed to divert attention from” Khalistani terrorists and extremists who have been given shelter in Canada.”
It further stated that American social figures’ sympathy for such people was” a matter of heavy concern.”
On Monday, Canada even expelled India’s leading intelligence official.
Outside of Punjab, India, Canada has the largest Sikh community, with about 770 000 people identifying as practicing Sikhism in the survey taken in 2021.
The establishment of Khalistan, an impartial Sikh status, has long been desired.