The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) slammed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday, for failing to act against anti-India elements despite his claims of supporting the ‘One India’ policy.
“There is a clear gap between PM Trudeau’s words and actions,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a briefing. “Although he professes support for the ‘One India’ policy, no action has been taken against elements promoting separatism and the dismemberment of India.”
The diplomatic standoff escalated after Canada labeled India’s High Commissioner and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in connection with the investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In response, India recalled its High Commissioner and five other diplomats from Canada.
“We summoned the acting High Commissioner of Canada and expressed concerns over the safety of our diplomats. We took the decision to withdraw our officials even before Canada asked them to leave,” Jaiswal said.
Trudeau, testifying at a Canadian inquiry into foreign interference, admitted that his government had not provided India with concrete evidence but had only shared intelligence related to Nijjar’s killing. “India asked for evidence, but we could only provide intelligence. We wanted to collaborate, but they insisted on proof,” Trudeau said.
Meanwhile, responding to Trudeau’s statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Justin Trudeau “only confirms” what India has been saying “consistently all along.”
“The MEA also held Trudeau’s “cavalier behaviour” responsible for damaging India-Canada relations.
“What we have heard today only confirms what we have been saying consistently all along – Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.
Reacting to Trudeau’s testimony, the MEA said the Canadian Prime Minister’s remarks confirmed India’s position. “Canada has presented no evidence to back the serious allegations it made against India and our diplomats,” Jaiswal said. “This careless approach has damaged bilateral relations, and the responsibility for this lies solely with Prime Minister Trudeau.”
Relations between the two countries soured last year when Trudeau accused India in Parliament of being involved in Nijjar’s assassination. India has categorically denied the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “politically motivated,” while Canada is harboring extremist and anti-India elements.
The ties between India and Canada soured after Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament last year that he has “credible allegations” of India’s hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, in June 2023.
(Inputs from ANI)