In a strong rebuttal, India’s Foreign Ministry has once again called out accusations of state-sponsored violence abroad as politically charged fabrications with zero substantiation. Speaking on the high-profile assassination of designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, officials urged Canada to stick to legal protocols over media spectacles.
The remarks came during a briefing ahead of Canadian PM Mark Carney’s trip to India, where ex-MEA Secretary Periyasamy Kumaran fielded queries on the contentious matter. He underscored India’s zero-tolerance for terrorism while rejecting any narrative implicating New Delhi in cross-border crimes.
“These allegations of Indian involvement in transnational killings or organized crime are wholly unsubstantiated, politically motivated, and devoid of reliable evidence,” Kumaran asserted. “We’ve consistently sought proof, which has never materialized. Such grave issues demand resolution via proper investigative and judicial routes, away from the glare of public discourse.”
On Nijjar specifically, he affirmed that Canada’s probe is advancing per its laws, and India respects the process. Public interventions, he cautioned, risk undermining ongoing judicial proceedings.
The saga traces back to September 2023, when PM Justin Trudeau stunned the world by claiming intelligence pointed to Indian involvement in Nijjar’s slaying outside a gurdwara in Surrey. Ottawa’s move to question top Indian diplomats intensified the crisis, prompting New Delhi to expel Canadian intelligence officers in retaliation.
India countered by branding the claims ‘nonsensical’ and criticizing Canada for providing safe haven to Khalistani radicals plotting against it. The lack of shared evidence has fueled frustration on both sides.
Yet, security dialogues persist. Kumaran outlined NSA-level talks in late 2025 and early 2026, yielding commitments to bolster anti-terror cooperation and law enforcement ties.
Operational highlights include a functioning counter-terrorism working group and consular forums tackling extraditions and alerts. Dedicated coordinators will now handle intel exchanges on drug trafficking—including fentanyl—and global crime syndicates.
This framework reflects a mature recalibration of India-Canada relations, moving beyond Nijjar’s shadow toward mutual gains in security. Carney’s visit offers a platform to solidify these gains amid watchful eyes.