In a late night post from the Ministry of External Affairs, India confirmed its stand on the major diplomatic spat with Canada. Putting responsibility for the disastrous diplomatic fallout squarely on Justin Trudeau, the Foreign Ministry reiterated that “Canada has provided us with no evidence”.
In its brief-but-sharp response to Mr. Trudeau’s statement at the commission of inquiry, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a statement just after midnight that “What we have heard today only confirms what we have consistently said – Canada There is no evidence whatsoever to support the serious allegations that (India) has presented to us against India and Indian diplomats.”
Putting the responsibility for the serious diplomatic situation squarely on the conduct of the current Prime Minister of Canada, the statement said that “Prime Minister Trudeau alone bears responsibility for the damage this disgraceful conduct has caused to India-Canada relations.”
Our response to media questions regarding the Prime Minister of Canada’s testimony at the Commission of Inquiry: pic.twitter.com/1W8mel5DJe
– Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) 16 October 2024
Justin Trudeau’s latest comments
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a commission of inquiry on Wednesday, where he admitted he had only intelligence-based speculation and no “hard evidence” when he accused Indian government agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh. Was accused of involvement. Nijjar last year.
Stunned by India’s sharp denial over his “absurd” allegations, and less than 48 hours after New Delhi expelled six top Canadian diplomats over the “politically motivated” behavior of its prime minister, Mr Trudeau aggressively tried to hit back by claiming that “the Government of India has done this.” “It is a terrible mistake to think that they could aggressively interfere with Canada’s security and sovereignty.”
Testifying before a public inquiry into foreign interference in federal electoral processes and democratic institutions, Mr. Trudeau alleged that Indian diplomats were “collecting information about Canadians who disagree with the Indian government” and allegedly ” It is being escalated to the highest levels “within the Indian government and within criminal organizations such as the Lawrence Bishnoi gang” – another claim for which neither Mr. Trudeau, nor the Canadian government or authorities have any evidence.
Two days after Mr Trudeau made the same claim, New Delhi had said in its statement that, “Despite multiple requests from our side, the Canadian government has not shared a single piece of evidence with the Indian government.” The latest move follows conversations that have again made claims without any facts, leaving no doubt that this is a deliberate strategy to malign India for political gains, under the pretext of investigation.”
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Trudeau’s support to ‘Khalistan’ extremists
India has repeatedly said that the main issue between the two countries is the immunity and sanctuary given by Canada, especially Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to pro-Khalistan separatists and extremists operating from Canadian soil.
Mr Trudeau has been seen openly supporting radicals by attending separatist rallies and even sharing space with declared terrorists. Mr. Trudeau has attempted to justify such actions by calling it “Canadian freedom of speech and expression.”
India has said the reason behind Mr Trudeau’s words and actions is “his vote bank” – extremists and radicals who are crucial to his electoral gains.
“Prime Minister Trudeau’s hostility towards India has long been in evidence. In 2018, his visit to India, aimed at supporting the vote bank, heightened his unease. His Cabinet includes individuals who His naked interference in Indian internal politics in December 2020, which is openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda, showed how far he was willing to go in this regard, a political party. “, whose leaders openly support separatist ideology with respect to India, only escalated matters,” the Indian government said in a statement.
Justin Trudeau’s latest comments come two days after he called the Indian High Commissioner a “person of interest” in the investigation into the “murder” of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Nijjar. India rejected Mr Trudeau’s allegations, calling them “preposterous allegations”.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18 last year.