Canada says no proof to link PM Modi with Khalistani separatist Nijjar plot

NEW DELHI: Canada has officially denied it has any evidence to link PM Modi, foreign minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval with the murder of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, distancing itself from a Canadian media report earlier this week that quoted an anonymous security official to suggest that all three shared culpability for the crime.

New Delhi had described the Globe and Mail report as ludicrous, while warning Ottawa that such "smear campaigns" will further damage the already strained ties.

"On Oct 14th, because of a significant and ongoing threat to public safety, the RCMP and officials took the extraordinary step of making public accusations of serious criminal activity in Canada perpetrated by agents of the govt of India," Canadian NSA Nathalie Drouin said in an official statement. "The govt of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of, evidence linking PM Modi, minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate," the official said.

Canada had last month accused Union home minister Amit Shah of masterminding attacks on Sikh separatists and Canadians in the country. New Delhi had described the allegation as absurd and warned Ottawa that "unfounded insinuations" will have serious consequences for bilateral ties.

RCMP had alleged involvement of Indian high commissioner and other diplomats in criminal activities, leading to their expulsion. India, however, maintains that it recalled the officials. "While Canada does not have direct evidence that Mr Modi knew, the official said the assessment is that it would be unthinkable that three senior political figures in India would not have discussed the targeted killings with Mr Modi before proceeding," Globe and Mail report said.