Fri Nov 22 06:45:25 UTC 2024: ## Canada Denies Linking Top Indian Officials to Nijjar Murder Plot
**Ottawa, Canada** – The Canadian government has denied allegations linking top Indian officials to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist killed in Vancouver last year. In a statement released Friday, National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie G Drouin refuted a report by the *Globe and Mail* newspaper which cited unnamed Canadian officials claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were aware of a plot to kill Nijjar.
Drouin stated that the Canadian government is unaware of any evidence supporting these claims, calling them speculative and inaccurate. The statement followed a strong rebuke from India’s External Affairs Ministry, which termed the *Globe and Mail* report a “smear campaign” and dismissed the allegations as “ludicrous.”
The initial accusations, made public by the RCMP on October 14th, cited a significant threat to public safety. While Canada confirmed the existence of a serious criminal investigation, the government maintained it has no evidence linking the named Indian leaders to the crime.
This denial comes amidst a significant diplomatic crisis between India and Canada. The initial allegations, made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have led to a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations, with India repeatedly accusing Canada of making unsubstantiated claims for domestic political reasons.
In a seemingly related development, Canada has also reversed its decision to implement additional screening for travelers flying to India, a measure previously justified as a precautionary measure. The ongoing dispute centers around the murder of Nijjar and Canada’s assertion of Indian government involvement. India continues to demand evidence to support these allegations.
First Piper 