Official announcement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs

India Rejects Canada's Allegations, Withdraws Diplomats Over Nijjar Case

Oct 14, 2024, 01:27 PM

India has strongly rejected allegations by Canada that its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and other diplomats are 'persons of interest' in an investigation related to the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs described the claims as 'preposterous imputations' and politically motivated, accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government of engaging in vote bank politics. In response, India has decided to withdraw its High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats from Canada, citing concerns for their safety amid an atmosphere of extremism and violence. The Canadian Charge d'Affaires, Stewart Wheeler, was summoned by the MEA, and informed that the targeting of Indian diplomats was unacceptable. Wheeler stated that Canada has provided credible, irrefutable evidence linking Indian government agents to the murder, a claim India disputes.