India criticizes Canada for linking minister to plots targeting Sikhs, calling allegation ‘absurd’

India has officially expressed its strong opposition to the Canadian government’s accusation against Home Minister Amit Shah, labeling it as “absurd and baseless.” The ongoing diplomatic tension between the two countries escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that the Indian government may have been involved in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India has vehemently denied any involvement in the incident.

The strained relations between India and Canada have been exacerbated by India’s concerns regarding Sikh separatist groups operating within Canadian borders. The Indian government has accused Canada of turning a blind eye to separatist activities associated with the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent Sikh homeland.

The fallout from the allegations led to the expulsion of high-ranking diplomats from both countries in recent weeks. In response to the accusations against Home Minister Shah, Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s Foreign Ministry, condemned the claims as unfounded and irresponsible. He emphasized that such baseless accusations could have severe repercussions on bilateral relations between the two nations.

Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, David Morrison, reportedly confirmed Shah’s alleged involvement in the incident to The Washington Post. However, Indian officials have refuted these claims, stating that they have not been provided with any concrete evidence to support the allegations.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the slain activist at the center of the controversy, was affiliated with the banned Khalistan movement in India. He was designated as a terrorist by the Indian government in 2020 and was wanted for his alleged role in an attack on a Hindu priest. Nijjar had been residing in Canada for nearly thirty years, where a significant proportion of the population identifies as Sikh.

As the diplomatic standoff continues to unfold, both India and Canada are grappling with the implications of the escalating tensions. The accusations and counter-accusations have underscored the complexities of managing international relations in an increasingly interconnected world. The resolution of this dispute will likely require diplomatic finesse and a commitment to dialogue from both sides.