India’s Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated its position on the ongoing diplomatic dispute with Canada, asserting that no evidence has been presented by Canada to substantiate the serious allegations against India. The Ministry’s late-night response came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before the Commission of Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Ottawa, admitting he had not provided India with concrete proof regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a statement, the Ministry emphasized, “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. The responsibility for the damage that this cavalier behaviour has caused to India-Canada relations lies with Prime Minister Trudeau alone.”
Trudeau, while testifying, acknowledged that his accusations against India—linking Indian agents to the murder of Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey—were based on intelligence, not hard evidence. He further admitted that Canadian intelligence officials had shared concerns with India in the months leading up to his allegations, but concrete proof had not been provided.
Despite his admissions, Trudeau maintained that there was “credible evidence” suggesting Indian involvement in the killing, though the case was initially suspected to be gang-related. He added that some South Asian Members of Parliament had insisted it was linked to India, though he did not name them. Trudeau also implicated the Lawrence Bishnoi crime syndicate in the matter, alleging that criminal networks were used to carry out violence against Canadian citizens with links to India.
India’s diplomatic ties with Canada have worsened significantly since Trudeau’s accusations in September 2023. Following the allegations, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its high commissioner from Canada. The Indian government has consistently rejected Trudeau’s claims as “absurd.”
BJP leader Rajeev Chandrashekhar also criticized Trudeau, drawing comparisons between him and historical figures like Hitler and Ceausescu. Chandrashekhar accused Trudeau of using extremist groups, such as Khalistani terrorists, for political gain, stating, “History has a lesson for all weak political leaders who try to get power with the help of extremist goons. It never ends well.”
