The Congress on Tuesday backed the government’s stand over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation that “Indian agents” had a role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last June.
The Ministry of External Affairs has rejected the charges levelled by Justin Trudeau as “absurd and motivated”.
Backing the government’s stand, Jairam Ramesh, Congress’ communications in-charge, said that the country’s interests and concerns must be kept paramount at all times.
“The Indian National Congress has always believed that our country’s fight against terrorism has to be uncompromising, especially when terrorism threatens India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity. Our country’s interests and concerns must be kept paramount at all times,” he posted online.
The central government on Tuesday rejected the Canadian government’s allegation regarding India’s role in the killing of the Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey. The government termed the charges by Canada as “absurd and motivated” and said India has a strong commitment to rule of law.
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What is India-Canada row about?
“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 Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.
Earlier on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the country’s security agencies were probing a link between the Indian government and the killing of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, who was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey by two unidentified assailants on June 18 this year. Trudeau also said he had brought up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit.
Following Trudeau’s speech in the House of Commons, Canada also expelled Indian diplomat from the country. In a tit-for-tat move, India on Tuesday also expelled top Canadian diplomat Olivier Sylvester.
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Canadian High Commissioner, Cameron MacKay, and informed about India’s decision to expel the Canadian diplomat based in India. The senior diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who had moved to Canada in the late 1990s, was the Chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). He was declared as a designated terrorist by India in 2020.