New India: As India and Canada are locked in an intense diplomatic spat, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will brief a parliamentary panel on Wednesday, addressing the ongoing diplomatic dispute. This briefing follows Canada’s recent accusations against Home Minister Amit Shah, which India has called “absurd and baseless.”
Canada Accuses Shah of Targeting Sikhs
This comes after Canadian officials, including National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie Drouin and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison, claimed in a committee meeting that Shah authorized a campaign against Khalistani separatists in Canada. Their remarks confirmed details from a leaked Washington Post report, alleging that Shah was linked to targeting Sikh activists. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal strongly denied the allegations, calling them “absurd and baseless” and condemning Canada’s stance in a press briefing on Saturday.
Trudeau’s Previous Claims on Nijjar’s Murder
The dispute follows earlier claims by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India was involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist killed in British Columbia in June 2023. Trudeau stated that Canada had “credible evidence” of Indian agents’ involvement, straining relations further.
Canada Adds India to ‘Cyber Adversary’ List
In a move to escalate diplomatic pressures, Canada recently included India on its “Cyber Adversary” list, which names countries suspected of cyber operations against Canadian interests. This development adds another layer of tension as Canada accuses India of undermining its sovereignty.
