Canadian security agencies have raised suspicions that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of a plot to assassinate Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This revelation comes amid heightened tensions between Canada and India, following the killing of Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, in June last year.
According to a report by a leading Canadian newspaper, an unnamed national security official claimed that the plot was orchestrated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval being informed about it. The official suggested that it would be unthinkable for these senior political figures not to have discussed the targeted killings with Modi before proceeding.
The Indian government has vehemently denied any involvement in Nijjar’s murder, dismissing the allegations as a “smear campaign” that could further strain the already tense relations between the two countries. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that such “ludicrous statements” should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve.
This development follows previous accusations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who last year publicly alleged that there was credible intelligence linking Indian government agents to Nijjar’s killing. The diplomatic tension escalated further when Canada accused the Indian high commissioner of involvement in the incident, leading to the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats from India.
As the situation unfolds, both nations continue to navigate the complex and sensitive issue, with the potential for further diplomatic repercussions.
