India Reaffirms Lack of Evidence from Canada in Diplomatic Dispute over Nijjar’s Killing

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated its stance regarding the lack of evidence provided by Canada, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s admission that his government had not presented “hard evidentiary proof” when it accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The MEA stated that Trudeau’s remarks “only confirm” India’s long-held position.

“What we have heard today only confirms what we have been saying consistently all along – Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Jaiswal also blamed Trudeau for the strained relations between India and Canada. “The responsibility for the damage caused to India-Canada relations lies with Prime Minister Trudeau alone,” he added.

Trudeau’s admission came during his testimony before Canada’s foreign interference inquiry, where he acknowledged that India had repeatedly requested evidence concerning the allegations related to Nijjar’s death. Trudeau revealed that his government had provided “primarily intelligence, not hard evidentiary proof,” in response to India’s requests.

The diplomatic dispute between the two nations escalated after Trudeau’s initial accusations in the Canadian Parliament, where he claimed there were “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s assassination in June 2023. India consistently rejected these accusations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated,” while criticizing Canada for allegedly providing sanctuary to extremist and anti-India groups.

Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2020, was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada. Following the accusations, Canada labeled India’s High Commissioner and several diplomats as “persons of interest” in the case. In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma.

India has warned it reserves the right to take further actions in response to what it perceives as Canada’s support for extremist activities against India. The diplomatic rift continues to challenge relations between the two countries, with both sides maintaining firm positions on the issue.