New Delhi, Sep 19: India on Tuesday rejected as “absurd” and “motivated” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of “potential” Indian links to the killing of a Khalistani separatist leader and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case, in fresh strains to the bilateral ties.
Canadian High Commissioner to India Cameron MacKay was summoned and informed about the decision to expel the senior official, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) saying the move reflects New Delhi’s growing concern at the “interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.” In a strong reaction to remarks by Trudeau and the Canadian foreign minister, the MEA said such “unsubstantiated” allegations seek to “shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Though the MEA did not divulge the name of the Canadian diplomat who has been asked to leave India within five days, people familiar with the matter said it is the Canadian intelligence agency’s station chief in New Delhi Olivier Sylvestere.
The Indian action to expel the Canadian diplomat came hours after Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced that a “top Indian diplomat” has been expelled from Canada in view of the alleged links to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Khalistani leader. He was shot dead by two gunmen in Surrey in June.
Joly’s office said the diplomat is Pavan Kumar Rai, the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), according to Canadian broadcaster CBC news.
The ties between India and Canada have come under strain in view of New Delhi’s concerns over increasing activities of pro-Khalistani elements in that country. Last week, the talks on a bilateral free trade agreement were frozen apparently in view of the deteriorating ties.
“The high commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days,” the MEA said in a statement.
India also described as “absurd and motivated” Trudeau’s claim of a “potential link” between Indian government agents and the killing of Nijjar. “We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian prime minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their foreign minister. Allegations of the Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated,” the MEA said before announcing the expulsion of the Canadian diplomat.
The MEA said the “inaction” of the Canadian Government on this matter has been “long-standing” and of continuing concern. (PTI)
