India stands firm as Trudeau admits lack of evidence in Nijjar allegations  

• The ongoing diplomatic row marks a low point in already strained relations between the two nations, as Trudeau’s claims have been rejected by both official sources in New Delhi and the broader Indian government

• Despite Canada’s assertions that evidence was shared with India, New Delhi maintains that no such proof has been presented

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

In a significant development, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has admitted that he had no “hard evidentiary proof” when accusing Indian government agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, abplive.com reported.

Trudeau’s admission has only reaffirmed India’s long-standing position, as expressed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), that Canada has failed to provide any concrete evidence to support these serious allegations.

Following Trudeau’s testimony before a Commission of Inquiry, the MEA responded on Thursday, stating that this acknowledgment “confirms” what India has been asserting all along. “Canada has presented no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Nijjar, who was declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2022. Since then, Canada has accused Indian diplomats of spying on Canadians opposed to the Narendra Modi government and passing information to criminal organisations, claims that India has dismissed as baseless and absurd

The diplomatic spat between India and Canada has further deteriorated, with India recently expelling six Canadian diplomats and withdrawing its high commissioner from Canada. This move came after Canada linked the Indian government to the killing of Nijjar, despite India’s strong denial and rejection of any involvement. The MEA placed full responsibility for the damage caused to bilateral relations on Trudeau’s “cavalier behaviour.”

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