Trudeau Government Denies Allegations Linking PM Modi, Jaishankar, and Doval to Criminal Activities in Canada
Ottawa: The Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government on Friday dismissed claims connecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to criminal activities within Canada, following allegations made in a recent media report.
“The government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to serious criminal activity within Canada,” said Nathalie G. Drouin, National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister. She further described the allegations as “speculative and inaccurate,” stressing that the government’s position remains firmly rooted in the absence of any substantiated evidence.
Drouin’s statement was issued in response to a Globe and Mail report suggesting that senior Indian officials may have been involved in activities deemed criminal in Canada, particularly in relation to the 2022 assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Canadian government has refrained from directly implicating India’s highest officials in any wrongdoing, but has voiced concern over the alleged involvement of Indian agents in the killing.
The controversy gained momentum following the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) statement on October 14, which publicly accused Indian government agents of engaging in criminal activities within Canada. The RCMP highlighted a “significant and ongoing threat to public safety” linked to these agents but did not explicitly name any high-ranking Indian officials in its statement. The Canadian government has thus far been cautious in making definitive claims, focusing on maintaining national security while continuing investigations.
India Rejects Allegations as Unfounded and Harmful to Relations
India has strongly rejected the allegations, particularly a recent Globe and Mail article that tried to link PM Modi, S. Jaishankar, and Ajit Doval to Nijjar’s death. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denounced the report as “ludicrous” and condemned it for further exacerbating the already strained diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
“Smear campaigns like this further damage our ties,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiwal said, underscoring India’s frustration with what it perceives as unfair and unsubstantiated media narratives. The Indian government has consistently denied any involvement in Nijjar’s killing, characterizing the claims as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Growing Diplomatic Tensions Between India and Canada
The diplomatic row between India and Canada began in the aftermath of Nijjar’s assassination in June 2022. Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Nijjar, a prominent figure in the Khalistani movement, who was shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Trudeau stated that his government had received “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to the murder, and this assertion became a point of contention in bilateral relations.
India has vehemently rejected these allegations, dismissing them as part of an ongoing effort to tarnish India’s image internationally. In response to the claims, India recalled six of its diplomats from Canada, labeling them as “persons of interest” in the investigation into the assassination. The move marked a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions, leading to a series of expulsions on both sides.
Call for Action Against Extremist Elements
As the diplomatic dispute continues to unfold, India has urged Canada to take more decisive action against extremist elements operating within its borders. India has long expressed concern over the presence of pro-Khalistani groups and their activities in Canada, arguing that the Canadian government has not done enough to address the threat posed by these factions.
The MEA has called on Canada to curb the activities of these groups, which India considers a serious national security threat. India has also stressed the importance of combating extremism in all forms and has pointed to the role of certain individuals and organizations that promote anti-India ideologies, which it argues contribute to growing instability.
Looking Ahead: A Complex Diplomatic Landscape
As both India and Canada continue to defend their positions, the international community remains watchful of how the situation evolves. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis are ongoing, but the relationship between the two countries appears to be at a historic low.
This dispute highlights broader geopolitical dynamics, including the influence of the Indian diaspora in Canada and the complex nature of international relations when dealing with sensitive national security issues. For now, it seems that the road to reconciliation remains long and uncertain, as both sides brace for potential future confrontations.
As tensions continue to escalate, observers are questioning the long-term implications of this diplomatic impasse, particularly in terms of economic and trade relations, as well as Canada’s global standing in addressing domestic extremism.
