This week, Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison told the Canadian Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security that Khalistani militants were targeted on the orders of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah.
India has strongly objected to these allegations. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday summoned a representative of the Canadian High Commission, calling these comments “absurd and baseless” in a diplomatic note.
The MEA statement said that the Indian government “strongly denies” these claims and termed them devoid of any facts and evidence. Along with this, the Indian government has also expressed concern over recent reports that Canadian officials have attempted to spread “baseless rumors” in the international media. According to the MEA, this appears to be a strategic effort aimed at damaging India’s image.
The MEA described such incidents as confirmation of India’s long-standing views on the Canadian government’s political intentions and behavior. The statement said that this leaked information included information provided to the media by Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie Druin and Morrison, but no explanation was given on how the veracity of this information was verified.
Morrison also admitted during the committee session that he had provided information to the US newspaper The Washington Post, further fuelling tensions between the two countries. As diplomatic relations continue to be strained in the wake of these comments, the Indian government has called for accountability and respect in the international discourse.
